Wichita Police Task Force Wins National Award for Combating Retail Crime

WICHITA, Kan. — The Wichita Police Department's Property Crimes Reduction Task Force has been named the 2025 Task Force of the Year by the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators.

The task force, nominated by the organization's Florida chapter, was recognized for its coordinated response to a surge in retail theft that hit Sedgwick County in August 2024.

Rather than accepting increased shoplifting as "the new normal," the Wichita Police Department partnered with prosecutors and the retail community to launch a comprehensive crime prevention initiative, according to the award announcement.

The task force's efforts have yielded significant results over six months, including more than 350 arrests and the recovery of over $5 million in stolen merchandise. Hundreds of felony cases have been filed as part of the operation.

"They didn't just chase shoplifters — they dismantled criminal networks, recovered stolen vehicles, seized firearms and narcotics, and restored a sense of security for both retailers and the community," the announcement stated.

The Sumner County Sheriff's Office and multiple other regional agencies collaborated with Wichita police on the initiative. Two Sumner County deputies were assigned to the task force, and the county has recovered vehicles and stolen property in Wichita while assisting with crimes that crossed jurisdictional boundaries.

The task force represents a national model for what effective law enforcement collaboration can achieve, according to the organization.

The International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators will present the award during a ceremony in Oklahoma City on Aug. 26.