From Brooklyn to McPherson: Chief Mikel Golden Leads with Heart

GET THE CITIZEN JOURNAL APP - FREE!

Contact: greg@loql.ai

Guided by humans, assisted by AI

In McPherson, Kansas, Police Chief Mikel Golden leads a team of 37 officers with a philosophy that balances firm law enforcement with genuine community connection. His journey from the streets of Brooklyn to the helm of a Midwest police department illustrates an unexpected path that has benefited this community.

"Ultimately it's about building relationships with our community," says Golden. "We love doing that, being in our community and being somebody that they can approach and doing law enforcement right."

From Navy to Law Enforcement

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Golden's early life was marked by challenge. After losing both parents and his grandparents, Golden found himself at a crossroads with limited options. "I had really nothing going for me," he recalls. A conversation with a Navy recruiter changed the trajectory of his life.

Golden served in the Navy for "eight years, one month, and 29 days." During his service, he met his future wife, also a Navy sailor. When she suggested moving to Kansas after her discharge—her father had relocated to Wichita for the aircraft industry—Golden made the decision to follow her to the Midwest.

"I'm going to follow the girl," Golden says with a smile, describing his move to Kansas.

Rising Through the Ranks

Golden joined the McPherson Police Department in October 2006. After graduating from the academy as class president, he began his career on patrol. Within a year, he moved to investigations and by late 2009 had joined the drug task force, where he would serve for nearly eight years, including undercover work. "I was undercover for about seven and a half years, almost eight years here," he explains.

His career progression continued steadily: Lieutenant for Patrol in November 2017, Assistant Chief in April 2018, and finally Chief of Police in 2019 when his predecessor retired.

Golden also earned a degree in McPherson from Central Christian Christian College.

Current Priorities: Protecting the Vulnerable

When asked about his current priorities, Golden doesn't hesitate to put children first.

"In law enforcement, wherever you go, children are a priority," he states firmly.

His second priority focuses on combating dangerous drugs. "Fentanyl and methamphetamine are always up there," he notes, highlighting ongoing efforts to fight drug trafficking.

Given McPherson's industrial footprint, which includes a refinery and Pfizer facilities, counterterrorism also remains a key concern for the department.

A Personalized Approach to Policing

Golden's leadership style emphasizes building on officers' individual strengths and interests. "Each officer is going to have their own priority," he explains. "If it's human trafficking, you're going to all the human trafficking stuff. If it's traffic enforcement... I'm going to focus on that for you."

This approach has created a department where officers are invested in their specialties, leading to more effective policing. Golden compares the alternative to "sitting in a class that you can't stand and being force-fed information that you're not interested in."

FBI Academy Recognition

In a testament to his leadership abilities, Golden was selected to attend the prestigious FBI Academy, an honor reserved for the top one percent of law enforcement. The extensive selection process includes recommendations, interviews, physical fitness requirements, and a thorough background check.

The 10-week program at the FBI Academy provided Golden with college credits from the University of Virginia and invaluable networking opportunities with law enforcement professionals from around the world. His roommate was from Denmark, and he formed close friendships with colleagues from Portugal, Israel, England, and the Maldives.

These international connections have proven valuable even in small-town McPherson. When investigating a jewelry store theft, Golden reached out to contacts in Romania for information on suspects, demonstrating how global networks can benefit local policing.

During his time at the FBI Academy, Golden had a particularly meaningful encounter with DJ, a six-year-old brain cancer fighter who later gained national recognition when he appeared at President Trump’s joint address to Congress. "DJ showed up, we knew he was coming and he was on the course with us and he was cheering us on the whole time," Golden recalls. DJ, who carries a doctor's note stating that being sworn in as an honorary officer "extends his life," was originally given only five to six months to live. Six years and 13 brain surgeries later, he has been sworn into over 900 law enforcement agencies and is now an honorary Secret Service agent. Inspired by DJ's courage, Golden has since sworn in two local children as honorary McPherson police officers.

Future Plans for McPherson

Looking ahead, Golden has ambitious plans for modernizing the department's capabilities. A central element is the strategic deployment of cameras throughout McPherson, particularly in crime hotspots identified through data analysis.

"McPherson's going to grow," Golden observes, noting significant investments from McPherson College and city infrastructure developments.

Golden emphasizes that the cameras are "strictly just to catch the criminal element" rather than monitoring everyday citizens.

Plans for a new substation, a remodeled building near the post office, are underway to alleviate overcrowding at the current facility. The department has outgrown its current space, with investigations cramped into shared offices and limited training facilities. The new substation will act as a nerve center for the department close to Main Street, tying in the new camera feeds into a high-tech control room.

Service Beyond the Badge

Beyond his official duties, Golden serves as an ambassador for Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, a program supporting veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD and related challenges.

The program uses outdoor adventures and peer support to help participants engage with life and build connections with others who understand their experiences. "When you're in that setting with other veterans, you can talk," Golden explains, noting how many veterans struggle to discuss their experiences with family members.

Golden is also active on several non-profit boards, including Wild Valor and Prairie View, and is the Incoming President of the Kansas Chiefs of Police Association.

This commitment to service reflects Golden's holistic approach to community safety—addressing not only crime but the human needs that often underlie it.

From the streets of Brooklyn to the plains of Kansas, Golden's journey embodies a dedication to service that has found its full expression in McPherson. Under his leadership, the police department continues to evolve, blending traditional law enforcement with innovation and compassion to serve a growing community.

Update March 20: Added Chief Golden is a graduate of Central Christian Christian College

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE TO GET THE MCPHERSON CITIZEN JOURNAL IN YOUR INBOX - FREE!

Sponsors (click me!)