City of Kearney Names New Chief of Police

Kearney City Manager, Brenda Jensen, is pleased to announce the promotion of Lt. Gabriel Kowalek as the next Chief of Police for the Kearney Police Department. Jensen made the official announcement today following a competitive national search.

“After a thorough review, it was clear that Lt. Gabriel Kowalek brings the right combination of experience, leadership, and vision to lead the department into the future,” said Jensen. “His deep understanding of our community, commitment to public safety, desire to maintain strong ties to Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office through co-location and decades of service make him an exceptional choice for this important role.”

Kowalek has served the Kearney Police Department for 23 years, beginning his career as a patrol officer. Over the course of his distinguished tenure, he has held a variety of roles including Narcotics Investigator, Road Patrol Sergeant, Special Services Sergeant, and most recently, Lieutenant over Special Services Unit and Criminal Investigations Bureau.

A strong proponent of professional development and leadership training, Kowalek is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Public Safety from the University of Virginia. 

“I am honored and humbled to serve as the next Chief of Police,” said Kowalek. “Kearney is a special place, and I am committed to continuing the department’s strong tradition of service, safety, and community engagement. I look forward to working with our dedicated officers and community partners to build on our success and meet the challenges ahead.”