Command Staff

Chief James R. Hawkins

Chief James Hawkins has a Masters Degree in Spanish and Portuguese from the University of Massachusetts. Prior to his employment with the Garden City Police Department he was a teacher with the Garden City School District for four years. In October of 1983 he was hired by the Garden City Police Department as a patrol officer. Chief Hawkins has held the rank of Detective, Lieutenant of Professional Standards, and Captain of the Administrative Division. He was appointed Chief of Police in February of 1996.

Captain Michael Utz began his employment with the Garden City Police Department in September of 1984 as a patrol officer. He has worked as a Detective, Sergeant of Professional Standards, Detective Sergeant, and Lieutenant in Investigations. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from Friends University. Captain Utz served four years in the United States Air Force. The last two years of his military career were spent with the Drug Suppression Team in Kaiserslautern, Germany.  He currently serves as the Investigations Division Commander.

Captain Rodney Bachman has been in law enforcement since 1976 and began his employment with the Garden City Police Department in January of 1991 as a patrol officer.  Prior to beginning his career in law enforcement, he served in the United States Marine Corps.  He has served as a S.W.A.T. Commander, Patrol Division Commander, Firearms Instructor, Hostage Negotiator, and Crisis Intervention Officer.  He currently serves as the Community Response Division Commander.

Captain David Smith

Captain David Smith was initially hired by the Garden City Police Department in March of 1990 after having served 6 years in the U.S. Army.  He has served as an Officer, Corporal, Detective, DEA Task Force Agent, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management and Leadership from Friends University, and is a 2011 graduate of the Certified Public Managers Program.  Captain Smith currently serves as the Patrol Division and S.W.A.T. Commander.

Support Services Director Kathy McGaughey

After graduating from Wichita State University in 1990, Director McGaughey began her employment with the department as a Communicator. She worked in Communications for eight years, three of those years as a supervisor. She transferred to the Records Section in 1998 as the Records Supervisor. In December of 2000 she was appointed Support Services Director and is in charge of the Communications and Records Sections of the department.