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August 24, 2024 Meeting

Publish Date 08/20/2024

MINUTES OF THE

BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2024

 

 

A meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri was held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in the Community Room at Police Headquarters, 1125 Locust Street, Kansas City.

PRESENT:

Commissioner Dawn Cramer, President

Commissioner Tom Whittaker, Vice President

Commissioner Madeline Romious, Treasurer

Commissioner Ed Elder, Member

Mayor Quinton Lucas, Member

Mr. David Kenner, Secretary/Attorney

Stacey Graves, Chief of Police

 

This meeting was called to order at 9:31 a.m. by Commissioner Cramer.  Civilian Phyllis Hinsley led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Chaplain Bill Gorman provided the invocation.  Mayor Lucas had an excused absence, but joined the meeting via WebEx video conference at 10:30 a.m.  He did not participate in voting. 

  1. General Discussion from the Chief of Police. Chief Stacey Graves advised that officers and community partners walked neighborhoods in the area of 69th and Gregory.  This area has seen an increase of gun violence.  The Department and community partners are engaging with this area, to provide resources and build relationships. 

Chief Graves advised that the Traffic Division has held numerous street-racing “sideshow” enforcement operations.  She advised that the Department and City officials will be meeting with legislators in Jefferson City to enhance penalties for participation in sideshows.  She also advised that detectives are diligently working to reduce property crimes in the City. 

Chief Graves expressed her appreciation to Councilman Crispin Rea and Councilman Eric Bunch for inviting the Department to attend the 4th District Night Out Against Crime event.  She also thanked Councilman Nathan Willett for partnering with the Department’s Wellness Unit to provide lunch for Department members last week at the Regional Training Academy.  She also thanked the Board members for attending these events.  Chief Graves stated that events like these show officers that they are supported at the highest level. 

In response to a question from Commissioner Cramer, regarding juveniles involved in property crimes, Chief Graves advised that it is a major concern for the Department.  Often times, these juveniles are armed with rifles, which is causing a lot of fear within the community.  The Department has met with juvenile courts to discuss ways to intervene with these juveniles sooner, before they commit violent crimes.    

  1. Guest Presentation. Councilman Crispin Rea, 4th District-at-Large, presented on behalf of the City Council.  Councilman Rea advised that the Detention and Rehabilitation Committee continues to discuss plans for a new facility. He advised that City Council is planning to put a Public Safety Sales Tax Renewal on the April 2025 ballot.  If the tax renewal passes, the funds will be used to purchase the land and construct the new facility.  The Committee continues to discuss the possibility of building the facility at the same location of the new Jackson County Detention Center near I-70 and 40 Highway.  Councilman Rea advised that the City would purchase roughly 23 acres from the County, as the facility would require 20-21 acres.  The Committee believes this will be the most cost-effective option, and community engagement has already been done in that area to notify nearby residents. 

            In response to a question from Commissioner Romious regarding timing, Councilman Rea advised that if the tax renewal passes, the tax will not transition over until 2026, so groundbreaking is still a couple of years out.  The Board expressed the sense of urgency to get this facility built and open.  Councilman Rea spoke about the possibility of remodeling the 8th floor of the Police Headquarters building into a detention facility, as a temporary solution, indicating that a report on the 8th floor was due this week.  If the Department opens the 8th floor jail again, it would remain open as a holding facility even after the new Detention and Rehabilitation Center is built. 

            In response to a question, Chief Graves advised that the 8th floor jail would be run by the Department’s Detention Services Unit, similarly to how the current Metro Patrol Division Detention is run.  The new Detention and Rehabilitation Center would be run by the City. 

            Councilman Rea advised that last week, the Council passed legislation for the construction of a mental health hospital.  This partnership with University Health and the Department of Mental Health will open a $300 million facility that will have 200 low barrier beds.  Councilman Rea noted that this is a historic investment and solution for the mental health need in Kansas City.  The parties have agreed that 25 of these beds will be allocated for Municipal Court detainees.    

Councilman Rea advised that last week, he and Councilman Eric Bunch, hosted the 4th District Annual Night Out Against Crime at McCoy Park.  He advised that with the assistance of the Department and KCFD, they handed out gun locks, car clubs, and smoke detectors to community members. 

  1. Investigations Bureau. Deputy Chief Doug Niemeier provided an update regarding the ongoing property crimes in the City.  He advised that often times property crimes turn into violent crimes.  He urged the community to remove valuables from their vehicles, lock up their vehicles, place air tags in their vehicle to track them, and install security systems in their homes. 

            He advised that detectives are working on presenting complete case files to the Prosecutor’s Office.  He assured the community that these suspects will be arrested.  In response to a question from Commissioner Romious, Deputy Chief Niemeier advised that with school back in session, some property crimes will drop.  However, the suspects responsible for the ongoing property crime spree in the City have been identified as 17 to 18-year-olds, so they won’t be returning to school.  He advised that detectives are working closely with prosecutors to charge the individuals responsible for these property crimes. 

Deputy Chief Niemeier provided information on the Kansas City Regional Fusion Center.  He advised that the Fusion Center was created following the events on September 11, 2001, to monitor criminal threats involving international and domestic terrorism.  The Kansas City Regional Fusion Center monitors nine counties and 119 municipalities in Missouri and Kansas, and is made up with personnel from surrounding agencies and federal partners.  Deputy Chief Niemeier provided examples of threats that the Fusion Center discovered, such as the online threat targeting the Morgan Wallen concert at Arrowhead Stadium, food contamination at a restaurant in Kansas, hate crimes against a church, and a school threat in Independence, Missouri. 

Deputy Chief Niemeier provided an update on crime statistics.  He advised that to-date in 2024, there have been a total of 96 homicides, compared to 127 homicides during the same time period in 2023.  The Department has cleared 45 homicides this year, plus an additional 16 homicides from previous years, totaling 61 solved homicides.  The Department’s clearance rate is 64 percent.   

Deputy Chief Niemeier advised that there were 11 homicides that occurred in July 2024.  Two of the July homicides occurred within the Central Patrol Division, three within the Metro Patrol Division, four within the East Patrol Division, one within the North Patrol Division, and one within the Shoal Creek Patrol Division.  Deputy Chief Niemeier advised that of those 11 homicides in July, two were due to arguments, three were domestic violence incidents, one was self-defense, one was drug-related, and the others remain unknown.  A firearm(s) was used in all of the July homicides.

Deputy Chief Niemeier advised that as of August 15, 2024, there have been 387 non-fatal shootings this year, compared to 314 at this same time period in 2023.  In July 2024, there were 58 non-fatal shootings, compared to 51 non-fatal shootings in July 2023.  As of August 15, 2024, there have already been 24 non-fatal shootings this month.

            Deputy Chief Niemeier spoke about cases submitted for prosecution.  In July 2024, there were 322 cases submitted for prosecution; there were 263 cases submitted to Jackson County, 43 to Clay County, and 16 to Platte County.  

Deputy Chief Niemeier provided statistics on the Special Investigation Division K9’s Zeus, Amor, and Daygoro.  During the lifetime of these three canines, together they have recovered a total of 17,219 pounds of marijuana, 2,873 pounds of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 1,159 pounds of methamphetamine, 2,456 pounds of ecstasy tablets, 256 pounds of cocaine, 71 pounds of heroin, 6,118 pounds of fentanyl, 538,178 fentanyl tablets, 19 gallons of phencyclidine/phenylcyclohexyl piperidine (PCP), and nearly $3.5 million in currency. 

  1. Patrol Bureau. Deputy Chief Joseph Mabin spoke of the notable events within the Patrol Bureau in July 2024, such as the Police Athletic League (PAL) Battle in the Northeast II Boxing Tournament and the ArtsTech Teens in Transition Graduation.  Deputy Chief Mabin noted that the PAL Center had 1,297 visits in July 2024.  The PAL Center averaged 71 visits per day, and had 18 new enrollments over the past month. 

Deputy Chief Mabin presented monthly statistics for the Patrol Bureau.  He advised that the median response time for Priority 10 calls (also known as Priority 1) for the month of July was 8 minutes and 32 seconds; the Department’s Priority 10 response time goal is 7.50 minutes.  The Priority 20 (also known as Priority 2) response time for the month of July was 11 minutes and 25 seconds; the Department’s Priority 20 response time goal is 9.00 minutes.  The response time is the amount of time from when the call is created until an officer arrives on scene. 

Deputy Chief Mabin advised as of August 7, 2024, there have been 10,268 city-wide crashes year-to-date.  During this time period in 2023, there were 10,764 city-wide crashes.  There were 1,463 city-wide crashes in July 2024, compared to 1,740 city-wide crashes in July 2023. 

Deputy Chief Mabin advised that there have been 50 fatality crashes with 55 victims.  During the same time period in 2023, there were 46 fatality crashes with 41 victims.  There were six fatalities in the month of July 2024, one of which was a hit-and-run that remains unsolved. 

Deputy Chief Mabin advised that members of the Traffic Division held nine DUI wolfpack enforcement operations in July, which resulted in 98 stops, 34 DUI arrests, and 110 total citations issued.  Additionally, there were another 51 DUI arrests made by patrol divisions during the month of July.

Deputy Chief Mabin advised that patrol officers issued 5,441 traffic citations in July 2024, compared to 3,758 citations issued in July 2023.  Year-to-date 2024, patrol officers have issued 34,835 citations, compared to 32,297 citations issued during the same time period in 2023.  Commissioner Whittaker noted the significant increase in citations issued in the month of July, compared to the previous year.  Deputy Chief Mabin attributed the increase to additional enforcement activity, including street racing, speed, and seat belt enforcement operations. 

  1. Administration Bureau. Major Dan Haley presented for Deputy Chief Luis Ortiz during his absence.  Major Haley provided an update on Department staffing.  He advised that as of July 30, 2024, Department strength was 1,651.  For this time period, there were 1,083 sworn law enforcement personnel, 40 recruits, 523 professional staff, and five Board members; there were 217 total vacancies.

Major Haley advised there are 56 people in the process for the 183rd EOC that is scheduled to begin training in September.  Additionally, there are 11 pending job offers.  The Department is currently processing 25 lateral and re-hire officers. 

Major Haley advised that the Department hired two new members in the Communications Unit this month. He noted that there are 11 people in the process for possible eligibility and two pending job offers. 

The Department will hold law enforcement testing on August 28, 2024, September 26, 2024, and October 19, 2024, at the Regional Police Academy.  Major Haley advised that there are already 40 individuals signed up to participate in testing on August 28, 2024, noting that this testing is being held in the middle of the week instead of the regular weekend testing.  He commended the efforts of the members assigned to the Employment and Recruitment Section.  The Department continues to hire for all positions.  More information can be found at https://www.kcpd.org/careers/. 

In response to a question from Commissioner Whittaker, Captain Justin Pinkerton advised that it takes approximately 30-60 days to process lateral transfers.  He advised that the lateral candidates do not have to take the written testing, but they still have to go through the background process and get up-to-date with their Missouri Peace Officers Standards & Training (POST) requirements. 

Mayor Lucas joined the meeting via WebEx video conference at 10:30 a.m.  He did not participate in voting. 

  1. Executive Services Bureau.   Deputy Chief Derek McCollum presented the following items for Board approval:
  2. Budget Transfers for Fiscal Year 2024-25.  A memorandum dated August 9, 2024, was presented recommending approval of budget transfers.  This transfer will affect the Police Grants Fund and the Grants Special Revenue Fund. 

            A motion was made by Commissioner Whittaker, with a second by Commissioner Romious, to approve the budget transfers as presented.  The vote was 4-0 in favor. 

  1. Kansas City Streetcar Authority MOU.  A memorandum dated August 6, 2024, was presented to recommend acceptance of a memorandum of understanding with the Kansas City Streetcar Authority (KCSA) in the amount of $550,248.00 plus any eligible overtime, to pay the salary and benefits for one or more officers to assist KSCA in preserving the peace, preventing crime, arresting offenders, and protecting the safety and welfare of KCSA staff and citizens on or about KSCA property and streetcar stop areas.  This will also provide funding for the purchase of one or more police vehicles for these assigned officers. 

            A motion was made by Commissioner Whittaker, with a second by Commissioner Romious, to accept the memorandum of understanding with the Kansas City Streetcar Authority, in the amount of $550,248.00.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.   

  1. Midwest HIDTA Investigative Support Center Grant #G24MW0003A. A memorandum dated August 8, 2024, was presented to recommend acceptance of the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Investigative Support Center Award #G24MW0003A, in the amount of $418,408.00.  This program provides funding to combat the manufacture, sale, and use of illegal drugs.  It funds the salary and benefits for a detective, a civilian supervisor, civilian analyst, and civilian calltaker/dispatcher.  This award is 100 percent federally funded, and it is the 27th year of funding.  The award period is January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025.

            A motion was made by Commissioner Romious, with a second by Commissioner Elder, to accept the Midwest HIDTA Investigative Support Center Award #G24MW0003A, in the amount of $418,408.00.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.

  1. 2024 COMBAT Jackson County Drug Tax Unit Agreement. A memorandum dated August 7, 2024, was presented to recommend acceptance of the 2024 Community Backed Anti-Crime Tax (COMBAT) Jackson County Drug Tax award in the amount of $3,421,616.00.  This provides funding for additional law enforcement and civilian support in the Special Investigations Division, the Community Engagement Division, and the Kansas City Police Crime Laboratory.  The funding period is January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.

            A motion was made by Commissioner Romious, with a second by Commissioner Elder, to accept the 2024 COMBAT Jackson County Drug Tax award, in the amount of $3,421,616.00.   The vote was 4-0 in favor.

            Commissioner Romious noted that the Department is already seven months into the 12-month long award period.  Deputy Chief McCollum advised that the Department will bill Jackson County for backpay. 

            Deputy Chief McCollum advised that a presentation on the Regional Emergency Communication Strategic Feasibility Study will occur at the October Board meeting.  He advised that the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) will be presenting the findings privately with each chief of police/sheriff before presenting in a public setting. 

  1. Chief’s Executive Officer. Deputy Chief Steve Young presented the following consent agenda item:
  2. Project #1384: Aerobics Program

            A motion was made by Commissioner Elder, with a second by Commissioner Whittaker, to approve Project 1384, Aerobics Program, as presented.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.

  1. Public Comments. John Murphy expressed his concern and frustration with the increase in property crimes near his residence in the Armour Fields Home Association.  He advised that the suspects are armed with long guns, causing extreme fear in the community.  Mr. Murphy urged the Department to arrest the suspects immediately.  He also expressed frustration with the laws surrounding juvenile suspects.  He advised that he plans to speak with leaders in Jefferson City regarding consequences for juvenile suspects.

Doug Winter, Vice President of the Meriwether Company which owns Parlor Kansas City in the Crossroads District, spoke about the increase in property crimes in the area.  He advised that cars are being broken into at an alarming rate, and it is affecting business in the area.  He also spoke about armed suspects and the fear they are causing amongst the community.  

Kevin Klinkenberg, Executive Director of Midtown KC Now, spoke about the increase of property crimes in multiple community improvement districts (CIDs).  He reiterated the same concerns as Mr. Murphy and Mr. Winter.  He advised that this is an emergency situation and should be treated as such.  He believes that the City cannot wait five years for a new jail, and that leaders must find a solution now.  Mr. Klinkenberg also expressed frustration with the rotation of command staff at patrol division stations.  He advised that it is hard for the community to be connected to the police in their neighborhoods when the command staff changes every couple of years. 

Ron Hunt echoed the concerns Mr. Murphy, Mr. Winter, and Mr. Klinkenberg.  He expressed his thanks to the Department for their community engagement efforts.  He would like to see updated video technology in the City.  He also would like to see more officers on foot patrol in the neighborhoods. 

Commissioner Cramer thanked the speakers for their comments.  She stated that the Department is working hard to identify suspects and building complete case files for prosecution.  Chief Graves added that the Department recently added one sergeant and two officers to the Downtown Footbeat Section.  She also stated that the Department feels the sense of urgency from the community, and detectives are making progress in these cases. 

  1. Approval of Minutes. A motion was made by Commissioner Romious, with a second by Commissioner Whittaker, to approve the minutes of the open session Board meeting on July 30, 2024.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.
  2. Mayor Quinton Lucas. Mayor Lucas thanked the speakers for their public comments.  He shares their concern for these urgent problems.  He spoke about new legislation and technology to assist with the Department’s efforts and to free up resources.   
  3. Commissioner Madeline Romious. Commissioner Romious echoed Mayor Lucas’ comments.  She also advised that she would like to tour the Kansas City Regional Fusion Center.    
  4. Commissioner Dawn Cramer. Commissioner Cramer thanked the speakers for their public comments, and thanked everyone in the Department for their hard work.
  5. Scheduled meetings. The Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri has scheduled the following meetings:

 

Disciplinary Hearings:

 

BOPC 24-04

September 13, 2024, 9:00 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.


BOPC 24-05

THIS HEARING HAS BEEN CONTINUED FROM ITS CURRENT SETTING OF JULY 26, 2024, AND WILL BE RESET FOR A FUTURE DATE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE BOARD.

 

*Disciplinary Hearings are closed under Section 590.502(6) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. 

 

Regular Meetings:

 

September 10, 2024, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.

 

October 29, 2024, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.

 

November 19, 2024, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.

 

December 17, 2024, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.

 

January 14, 2025, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.

 

February 25, 2025, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.

 

March 18, 2025, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.

 

April 15, 2025, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.

 

May 13, 2025, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.

 

June 17, 2025, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Whittaker, with a second by Commissioner Romious, and by vote indicated below, to go into closed session at 10:59 a.m., as provided in the following resolution.  Following a roll call, the vote was 4-0 in favor. 

 

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, notice of the board meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners was given on January 10, 2024, and

WHEREAS, said notice indicated that the Board of Police Commissioners might go into closed session during said meeting, and

WHEREAS, notice of the closed meeting follows the guidelines of Section 610.020 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Police Commissioners go into closed session during the meeting being held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at KCPD Headquarters, 1125 Locust Street, Kansas City, for the purpose of discussing personnel matters, labor negotiations, and litigation matters.

The following Commissioners were present and voted to go into closed session as follows:

Commissioner Ed Elder                                               -           Aye

Commissioner Madeline Romious                              -           Aye

Commissioner Tom Whittaker                                    -           Aye

Commissioner Dawn Cramer                                     -           Aye

            There being a quorum present and the question of holding a closed session having received an affirmative public vote of at least three (3) members, a closed meeting was held as set forth above.

Below are the votes from the closed session of the Board of Police Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, August 20, 2024:

The Board went into closed session at 11:18 a.m.  Mayor Lucas joined the meeting at by WebEx video conference.  He left the meeting at 11:40 a.m., before any votes occurred. 

1)         Following a motion by Commissioner Romious and a second by Commissioner Whittaker, the Board voted to approve the payments of $605,000 in the aggregate for legal fees to outside counsel for the Department in the case of Jannet Morales v. KCPD.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Romious voted Aye, and Commissioner Elder voted Aye. 

2)         Following a motion by Commissioner Whittaker and a second by Commissioner Elder, the Board voted to approve the application for continued employment of Police Officer Warren Lloyd.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Romious voted Aye, and Commissioner Elder voted Aye. 

3)          Following a motion by Commissioner Whittaker, and a second by Commissioner Romious, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the closed Board meeting and the Litigation Committee on July 30, 2024.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Romious voted Aye, and Commissioner Elder voted Aye. 

4)         Following a motion by Commissioner Whittaker, and a second by Commissioner Romious, at 12:19 p.m., the Board voted to go into special closed session to discuss personnel matters.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Romious voted Aye, and Commissioner Elder voted Aye. 

5)         Following a motion by Commissioner Elder and a second by Commissioner Whittaker, the Board voted to enter into a Fourth Amended and Restated Professional Services Agreement with David Kenner increasing his aggregate salary to $45,000 per annum.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Romious voted Aye, and Commissioner Elder voted Aye. 

6)         Following a motion by Commissioner Whittaker and a second by Commissioner Whittaker, at 12:33 p.m., the Board voted to come out of special closed session and adjourn.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Romious voted Aye, and Commissioner Elder voted Aye. 

            The Board adjourned at 12:33 p.m.