Boston Daniels

In 1945, Boston Daniels’ dream of becoming a policeman came true after joining the Kansas City, Kansas Police Force. In Boston’s 25-year career, he worked his way up to become police chief and was known for his non-violent approaches to conflict de-escalation as well as his all-around good nature. Before his death in 1995, Kansas City dedicated a park in his honor–what is today known as Boston Daniels Park, located on the corner of 8th St. and Quindaro Blvd. Recently, Boston’s surviving relatives are restoring the park to a destination fit for the community, working regularly to garner support for their revitalization efforts to carry on Daniel’s legacy of “love, unity, and community.”. 

In 1905, Boston was born the son of a preacher and one of six children. Daniels grew up on a farm in Arkansas, and after losing his father at an early age, quickly took on a major role in helping with the family farm. Early in his career, Daniels held jobs as a Pullman porter, ditch digger, and gas station attendant. During WWII, he shifted gears and began building planes before deciding to become an officer of the law. Boston Daniels married Rosemary and had a loving 50-year marriage where they both pursued their passions of serving the community. While building a successful career as a policeman, Daniels quickly became a pillar of the Kansas City community and built strong relationships with those he served. Rosemary was well-known in the Kansas City community as a cosmetology teacher at Sumner High School before going on to lead the department at the area school.

Making his way to Kansas at 23 years old, Daniels enrolled in the Kansas City Police Force in 1945, where he served a lengthy career. While towering over many at 6’2 and upwards of 200 lbs, Boston was well known and well respected for his good nature, non-violent methods, and genuinely kind personality. Throughout his time working up the ranks within the force, Daniels was known to be creative and thorough in his investigative work. While serving his year-long term as the first African American Police Chief, he added two substations in the community, grew the size of the police force, added more training programs, created a citizens’ watch radio, and also brought in a helicopter in efforts to serve the rapidly growing population. Daniels retired in 1971, after 25 years of service. Given his exceptional reputation, upon his retirement, the local newspaper wrote an editorial piece on Boston and his legacy was instilled upon the community. 

Daniels wholeheartedly believed that ‘better housing, education, health programs, recreational facilities and jobs were the best way to fight crime’ and throughout his career he worked to live that value and lead by example. Following his retirement from the force, Boston led a security team for the Housing Authority and also ran for both mayor and a position on the School Board. Daniels was called upon by universities and police academies to lead lectures on peaceful and impactful policing as he was well known for his tactics in conflict de-escalation as well as interviewing. 

In 1995, Kansas City dedicated the ‘Eighth Street’ park in his honor. Boston was 91 years old at the time and was able to attend the dedication of the park to be named in his honor. The Kansas City Kansas Police Department also helped secure a museum display in their headquarters to honor Boston Daniels and his legacy of peace, community, and preventative policing. Today, the park remains a destination for residents. Daniels’ great niece has been rallying the community to support her efforts in revitalizing the park. 

Ziegler, Laura . Family Of Kansas City, Kansas' First Black Police Chief Want Improvements To A Park That Honors Him, KCUR. November 3rd 2019. Accessed June 8th 2022. https://www.kcur.org/2019-11-03/family-of-kansas-city-kansas-first-Black-police-chief-want-improvements-to-a-park-that-honors-him.

STARK, CORTLYNN . Family of first Black Kansas City, Kansas, police chief longs to revive namesake park Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article249011560.html#storylink=cpy, The Kansas City Star.. February 28th 2021. Accessed June 8th 2022. https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article249011560.html.

Kansas City, Kansas Black History – Boston Daniels, KCKPL Programs. Accessed June 8th 2022. https://kckplprograms.org/2021/02/25/kansas-city-kansas-Black-history-boston-daniels/.