Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City is ushering in a new chapter in its public safety leadership. City Manager Mario Vasquez has appointed LaceShionna “Lace” Cline as Assistant City Manager for Public Safety, placing a seasoned legal and policy strategist at the helm of the city’s coordinated safety efforts.
Cline has about 15 years of expertise in prosecution, litigation, executive leadership, and public policy. Most recently, she was the Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Public Safety for Mayor Quinton Lucas. In that role, she helped lead some of the city’s most visible safety programs and gave advice on difficult policy and legislative issues.
Cline was a key player in making improvements to Kansas City’s chronic nuisance statute while she was in the Mayor’s Office. These changes made it possible for the city to respond faster when violence happens at businesses. She also helped the new law that bans drugs at gas stations get forward. Both actions were part of a plan that focused on accountability and targeted intervention.
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Vasquez applauded Cline’s leadership style, saying that she was good at listening, building trust, and getting results that could be measured.
“Lace brings the kind of leadership that listens, builds trust, and produces results,” said City Manager Mario Vasquez.
“I have been very impressed with her accomplishments. She understands that strong public safety requires coordination, accountability, and partnership across our entire city. I am confident she will help us strengthen the way in which we deliver public safety services in Kansas City.”
Cline is from Kansas City and has worked as an assistant county prosecutor in two cities and as a clerk for the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. She has also worked in private practice, where she defended companies in complicated lawsuits and helped them stay in line with the law and manage their risks. She got her bachelor’s degree and her law degree from the University of Missouri. She also has an Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate.
Cline will be in charge of the city’s unified safety plan as the Assistant City Manager for Public Safety. Her job will include making sure that departments work together, putting policies into action, and keeping in touch with municipal partners and community stakeholders.
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Mayor Lucas praised Cline for changing how people interact with City Hall and how safe the city is, saying that she did this by building stronger connections between neighborhoods, small businesses, and the police.
“Lace understands the broad, collaborative efforts it takes to build a safer city for our families. Her service as Assistant City Manager for Public Safety will continue to show progress in bringing Kansas Citians the safety we deserve,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas.
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Her appointment underscores the city’s continued commitment to coordinated leadership, strategic policymaking, and measurable progress in keeping Kansas City neighborhoods safe.
