Chief Teresa Ewins resigns from Lincoln Police Department

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lincoln Police Chief Teresa Ewins resigned from the department on Friday.

In a press release, city officials said Ewins – who was named police chief in 2021 – gave her notice of resignation to Maylor Leirion Gaylor Baird.

Ewins’ resignation is effective immediately, according to city officials.  She was Lincoln’s first female police chief.

Before moving to Lincoln, Ewins was the highest-ranking LGBT officer in the San Francisco Police Department. 

At LPD, she dealt with multiple sexual harassment lawsuits against the department while also trying to improve the agency’s diversity.

“During her tenure, Chief Ewins and I worked to deliver the high level of public safety that we have here in Lincoln,” Gaylor Baird said in the release. “I thank her for her service to our community. Together we added officers, dispatchers, and support personnel positions to LPD’s staff and negotiated a labor contract that made LPD officers the highest-paid law enforcement in the state. We also opened a new Northeast Team Station, secured additional equipment, and increased training for officers responding to mental health-related calls for service.”  

Gaylor Baird appointed Assistant Chief Michon Morrow to serve as acting chief of police.  She has been a member of LPD since 1995.

“Chief Morrow is an experienced and trusted leader within the Lincoln Police Department and our community,” Gaylor Baird said. “She is devoted to delivering LPD’s mission and keeping our community safe. Her capability, commitment, and deep care for the people of Lincoln and the members of the department are inspiring, as is the way she upholds the community policing model that has served our city so well.”  

Ewins released a statement on the resignation:

It has been my great honor to serve as the Chief of Police for the Lincoln Police Department. Over the past two years, we have made great strides, even amid challenging times for our nation and our community. And it is you – my colleagues, my officers … my friends – who have done the heavy lifting. I will be stepping down as Chief of this department and moving on. This was not an easy decision, but I have determined it is the best one.  

After nearly 29 years in law enforcement, I can say that as a police organization, the Lincoln Police Department is one of the best. Your hard work and dedication to this community is evident, and felt, every day. I will always value each and every one of you. And I know that you determine the course of this department. Do your best and do what is right – no matter what you confront. I believe in you.  

In addition to the law enforcement professionals with whom I have served, I very much want to thank the community – the people of Lincoln – for their support of this department and for my tenure as Chief. It has been a pleasure to serve and be a part of this community. Thank you.  

It is unknown when a search for the department’s next police chief will begin.