Marysville Police Chief Matt Simpson will become the Kansas Attorney General’s special agent in charge of the criminal division, with his last day in Marysville on December 1st. Lt. Anthony Escalante will serve as acting chief until a successor is named.

Simpson has worked with the Marysville Police Department (MPD) for five years, two and a half of those years as Chief. He expressed pride in the MPD’s achievements, including CALEA and Kansas Law Enforcement Accreditation, the department’s school outreach, and over $500,000 in grants secured for equipment and training. Simpson noted MPD officers’ involvement in federal task forces and the department’s partnership with USD 364, which secured a $300,000 federal school safety grant.

Simpson stated he did not seek to leave Marysville but faced frustrations with the city administration. Escalante, along with Lieutenants James Leis and Fernando Salcedo, were identified by Simpson as strong candidates for succession. In his final weeks, Simpson will oversee a department audit and transfer essential responsibilities to ensure a smooth transition.