2025 Blue KC Answering the Call Honoree Dave Conchola
25-year veteran of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department featured in the month of April
Dave Conchola always saw himself being around baseball. He just didn’t know it would be in the role he’s had for the past 25 years with the Kansas City Royals.
Conchola played baseball as a kid and throughout high school. He had a desire to walk on at the University of Kansas. His plan was to earn a scholarship before turning pro and becoming a Major League Baseball star.
His mom convinced him that, without a scholarship, he had no guarantees at KU, and there was a real possibility of getting lost on a large campus.
So he walked on at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan, where he eventually earned a scholarship. After graduating, he tried out for a couple of professional teams without finding a landing spot. He ended up scouting for the Chicago Cubs for a couple years, through a connection with his college coach who used to play for the Cubs.
That wasn’t the life for a young married man with a family. So in 1997, he joined the Kansas City Missouri Police Department.
“I’ve been in several positions with the police department, from district officer to recruiter to making detective for internal affairs,” he said. “Then I worked in domestic violence, and then the homicide division. Now I’m with the asset forfeiture division.
“I learned a lot and met a lot of people. I’ve dealt with a lot of good people, and bad people as well. My approach has always been to try to change families and their culture. I’ve always preached one thing: if one person can change the dynamic of a family culture, it only takes one person to change the community as well.”
That approach is why Conchola is the April recipient of the “Blue KC Answering the Call” award, sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) benefitting The Battle Within. The Battle Within is an organization that helps former military personnel and first responders cope with the sometimes-hidden trauma of their careers.
“The pressures of this job can shake a person,” Conchola said. “It’s easy to let the stresses of being a police officer affect your life outside of the job. I’m on call 24/7, even when I’m not on duty. That can lead to tension that can be debilitating if not dealt with properly.
“I’m thankful that there are organizations like The Battle Within who can help police officers handle those stresses and not let them take over.”
Two years into his stint with the KCPD, feeling drawn to baseball, Conchola applied for an off-duty assignment with the Royals. He’s been there ever since, representing the KCPD.
“They want us to be seen,” he said of his duties at Royals games. “They want us to be mobile, to move around the stadium, to interact with the fans. You want to be there for Kansas City and be a positive role model for the citizens, because we’re always in the spotlight.”
Conchola knows that the spotlight will go out soon. He plans to retire from the KCPD sometime in 2026. And while he’ll still enjoy baseball, his time working with the Royals will come to a conclusion at the same time. He’ll spend his time with his wife, his two daughters and his 1-year-old granddaughter. Grandchild No. 2 is due in September.
It’s time for the next stage of life.
“It’s been a fantastic career,” he said of his 27 years on the force and 25 years with the Royals. “I’ve learned a lot, done a lot, seen a lot, experienced a lot, a lot of sadness and happiness, you name it. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
For more information on the Blue KC Answering the Call program, click here.
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