INDEPENDENCE, MO — Independence has chosen former Maj. Ed Turner as its next police chief, bringing back a veteran of the department who spent 25 years with the agency before leaving for Grain Valley. Turner is scheduled to start Oct. 26 and will replace interim Chief Doug Brinkley after a search that drew community input and several finalists.
The city announced the hire after weighing feedback from residents, interview panels and police personnel. Turner most recently led the Grain Valley Police Department, but he also has deep roots in Independence, where he previously worked in leadership roles over investigations, patrol, special operations and support services.
Turner’s career spans Independence and Grain Valley
Turner’s career in local law enforcement stretches back decades. He started with the Grain Valley Police Department as an officer in 1995, later moved to Independence, and eventually rose to major before leaving for Grain Valley again in February 2023 to become chief there.
According to the city’s earlier announcement naming finalists, Turner holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Central Missouri and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Those credentials were part of the package that put him among the four people considered for the Independence job.
In his statement, Turner said he was honored by the opportunity and looked forward to working with city leaders, department employees and the community to build on the department’s strengths and continue earning public trust.
City leaders say residents helped shape the decision
Independence City Manager Troy Anderson said the hiring process was designed to include the public from the beginning. He said the city followed through on a commitment to involve the community and that Turner received strong support at a community open house, along with positive feedback from multiple interview panels.
Anderson said that input mattered in the final decision. He also described Turner as someone with a genuine passion for Independence and a desire to see both the community and the police department succeed.
The city said the process was meant to identify a chief who could bring experience and energy to the department’s leadership team. Turner’s return gives Independence a leader who already knows the agency’s structure, personnel and expectations.
Department faces lawsuits and scrutiny over chase policy
Turner will take command of a police department that has faced significant criticism in recent years. Independence police have been the subject of lawsuits and have drawn scrutiny over the department’s chase policy, putting extra attention on whoever would take over the top job.
That backdrop makes the transition especially important for city officials and officers alike. Turner will inherit not only a large municipal department, but also the challenge of rebuilding confidence while maintaining operations and setting expectations for policy, training and leadership.
The city has not announced any immediate policy changes tied to the leadership switch. Instead, the emphasis has been on continuity as the department prepares for a new chief and a new phase of oversight.
Dustman resigned after leave and Brinkley stepped in as interim chief
The opening at the top of the department came after former Chief Adam Dustman resigned in August 2025. Dustman had been on leave for three months before stepping down, creating the vacancy that led to the search for a permanent replacement.
In September 2025, the city hired Doug Brinkley as interim chief while officials looked for Dustman’s successor. Independence said Brinkley would continue leading the department during the transition, giving the department temporary stability while the search moved forward.
Turner’s selection ends that interim arrangement. Brinkley will remain in place until the changeover date, but the city has now identified the permanent leader it expects to guide the department forward.
Grain Valley begins its own search for a replacement
Turner’s move creates a vacancy in Grain Valley, where he has served as chief since February 2023. The city said it is still early in the transition and that its immediate focus is on maintaining continuity within the department and supporting employees and residents through the change.
Grain Valley officials said city leadership and the Board of Aldermen will discuss next steps, including how to select the next police chief. Once that process is determined, the city said it will share more information with the public.
For now, Independence is preparing for Turner’s arrival while Grain Valley starts planning for a new search of its own. The leadership change will shift a longtime local officer back to the department where he spent much of his career.
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