December 12, 2017, Meeting

MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12 , 2017

A meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri was held on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust Street, Kansas City.

PRESENT:
Commissioner Leland M. Shurin, President
Commissioner Nathan Garrett, Vice-President
Commissioner Don Wagner, Treasurer
Commissioner Mark Tolbert, Member
Mayor Sylvester “Sly” James, Jr., Member
Mr. David V. Kenner, Secretary/Attorney
Richard C. Smith, Chief of Police

This meeting was called to order at 9:34 a.m. by Commissioner Shurin. Civilian Lauretta Horton led the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Tolbert provided the invocation. Mayor James joined the meeting at 9:42 a.m.

1. Awards and Commendations.

The Life-Saving Award was presented to Sergeant Matthew Bandler and Officers Evan Tarwater and Slade Whetro for their actions in a life-or-death situation on the evening of August 18, 2016. Officers Whetro and Tarwater were the first to arrive at the scene of multiple shooting victims behind a chicken restaurant at Gregory and Prospect. The encountered a woman holding her two-year-old daughter. The woman was in a state of shock because the girl had been shot in the head. She handed her bleeding daughter to Officer Whetro. The officers could see that the injuries were life-threatening, and at that time no ambulance had arrived on scene. Sergeant Bandler arrived on scene, and after quick discussion between officers, they agreed that they should take the girl themselves to the nearest trauma hospital, Research Medical Center. They performed first aid on the girl at the scene, then put her in a patrol car and rushed her to the hospital while continuing first aid. Their quick and decisive action led to the survival of the little girl.

The Life-Saving Award was presented to Officers Brandon Walker and Ian Winters for their actions in a life-or-death situation in the early hours of July 17, 2017. Officers Walker and Winters arrived on a medical call of a woman down in an apartment hallway in the 3500 block of Paseo. The man who lived there said the woman showed up to his apartment, and was intoxicated or high on drugs. He later told officers that the woman was a former heroin addict, who had been clean for a while, but recently started using again. As he talked to her in his doorway, the woman fell down and lacerated her forehead on the edge of the staircase in the hallway. The man called 911 and put several paper towels on the woman’s head to stop the bleeding. The officers tried to get her to respond verbally or by squeezing their hands, but she did not. Her breathing became shallow and erratic, and then she completely lost consciousness. Her heart stopped, and Officer Winters couldn’t find a pulse. The officers began chest compressions until the paramedics arrived. The woman was breathing again by then, but only about once every 30 seconds. She was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where medical staff treated her with the overdose antidote, Narcan, and got her stabilized. If it weren’t for Officers Walker and Winters, the woman would not have survived long enough to receive the Narcan treatment.

The Meritorious Service Award was presented to Sergeant Andrew Uptegrove for his dedication and commitment to the Department’s Hot Spot program. In January 2017, Sergeant Andrew Uptegrove and other members of the Hot Spot coordination team were transferred to different assignments, and their Hot Spot duties were divided up among various Department members. The results of the program began to decline over the next two months, and it lost focus. Members of the Chief’s Office met with Captain Ryan Mills to identify a solution that would increase productivity and provide meaning and benefit to both members and the community. The program underwent a change in March 2017, and because of his previous success, Sergeant Uptegrove was transferred back to East Patrol specifically to manage the Hot Spot Program. He was now solely responsible for directing nearly 300 Department members working their assignments, identifying worthwhile duties and objectives, and changing the focus of the officers working a patrol assignment. Moving forward, the community engagement focus remained unchanged, but the patrol function of Hot Spots shifted to support district officers in Center, Metro, and East Patrol on weekend nights. From April 2017 through August 2017, members working Hot Spots answered 797 calls for service, made 67 arrests and wrote 100 reports. This assignment required Sergeant Uptegrove to work a majority of the Hot Spot weekends, as well as coordinate multiple community events for officers to attend on a weekly basis. His work built relationships with segments of the community the KCPD may never have reached otherwise.

The Meritorious Service Award was presented to Sergeant Tim Holcomb for his dedication and commitment to the Training Unit beginning in October 2016. Shortly after Sergeant Holcomb was assigned to the Training Unit, he and other staff members were discussing in-service training for the Department’s Field Training Officers. Sergeant Holcomb noticed many officers were still “on the books” as being FTO’s, but they didn’t have any recruit officers to train and hadn’t for some time. They were, however, still receiving the $100-per-month salary increase for being an active FTO. As he looked further into the issue, he discovered there were 25 FTO’s who were assigned to divisions where recruits aren’t even assigned because of lower activity levels. Sergeant Holcomb composed and submitted a memorandum through his chain of command, advising the Department could conservatively save $45,000 annually by not giving FTO pay to officers who weren’t really serving as FTO’s. Before their pay was rescinded, Sergeant Holcomb’s memo recommended advising these officers about their pending reduction in pay and giving them the opportunity to transfer back to a division and shift where they could serve as an FTO again. Sergeant Holcomb addressed an issue, and came up with a solution for FTO’s to maintain their status and again be useful to the program.

The FBI presented the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Certificate of Appreciation to the Kansas City Career Criminal Task Force for their countless hours of work and at the risk of their own lives to stop a large group of suspects who were terrorizing area convenience stores and growing more violent. Beginning in 2016, area convenience stores began falling victim to violent robberies. Three armed men, dressed in Nike hoodies and shoes, would do an armed takeover of the businesses, forcing employees to the cash register or safe at gunpoint. After three of these robberies happened in Independence, members of the Kansas City Career Criminal Task Force (KCCCTF) began to identify a pattern of robberies developing. The Task Force is composed of members from the Kansas City, Missouri and Independence Police Departments, FBI, ATF, and U.S. Marshals Service. Once the Task Force started looking into the cases, they linked four additional robberies in other surrounding cities to the three in Independence. They viewed hours of surveillance video from the businesses and cameras nearby from before and after the robberies. From this, they were able to obtain a suspect vehicle and partial license plate. Searches of Department of Revenue records eventually led them to the driver of the vehicle. They went back through the video, and saw the man casing one of the stores before robbing it. They found his social media profiles, and found several pictures of the suspect vehicle in them, as well as pictures of him and other men wearing the same Nike clothing as the robbery suspects. They also saw another car in the pictures, so Task Force members began round-the-clock surveillance on both vehicles. The investigation, which was initiated in January 2016, progressed into March 2016, and required thousands of person-hours. Each day, investigators developed new information and intelligence, while adding new pieces to a growing puzzle. The surveillance led the investigators to develop more suspects. They were able to confirm their involvement through search warrants of phone records and physical locations, as well as social media, comparing the suspects’ work schedules to when the crimes took place and other investigative techniques.

By March 23, 2016, the group of suspects was believed to have committed at least 17 business robberies. Late that night and the early morning of March 24, the surveillance teams were conducting surveillance on two of the suspects. They came out of their respective homes wearing the same Nike clothing as in all the previous robberies and armed with guns. The two different vehicles met up and picked up one more person. Then they all got in the same car. Surveillance crews followed the three suspects to Blue Springs. Due to the suspects’ use of firearms and violence in past robberies, a team of tactical officers and members of KCCCTF were ready to move in and make arrests if the men attempted another robbery. The investigators soon spotted the suspects parked down the street from a Blue Springs Walgreens. By the time the officers pulled up, the suspects were already taking an employee at gunpoint. The officers were too late to prevent the robbery and did not want to escalate the situation. Tactical teams and members of the KCCCTF maintained surveillance around the store, waiting for the suspects to emerge. Meanwhile, other officers disabled the suspects’ vehicle. When the three suspects emerged from the building and encountered the officers, one took off running and the other two drew their guns. Officers fired at the two suspects who had pulled guns, striking and killing one of them. The officers were later ruled justified in their use of deadly force. They took the other two suspects into custody that night.

The investigators’ work wasn’t over. The suspects were charged with only the Walgreens robbery, and investigators strongly believed more suspects were involved in the string of robberies. Search warrants on apartments and phones, as well as social media analysis and other investigative techniques led to the identification of more and more people linked to more and more robberies. Investigators later learned the suspects were responsible for at least 27 business robberies in all, victimizing businesses and employees throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. Ultimately, investigators determined six suspects were involved in the robbery conspiracy, and they were subsequently charged in the Western District of Missouri Federal Court with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery under the Hobbs Act, and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Violent Felony Offense. They have been charged with 27 robberies in a three-month period in the cities of Kansas City, Missouri, Kansas City, Kansas, Raytown, Grandview, Independence, and North Kansas City.

The Board took a recess at 9:57 a.m., and resumed at 10:06 a.m.

2. Mr. Andy Arnold, Legislative Update. Mr. Andy Arnold presented the Board with the Legislative Activity Report, dated December 9, 2017. In his presentation, he discussed the State’s budget, education, public board & commission appointment confirmations, law enforcement issues, more specifically the Jason Shockley verdict, and the statutory pay range adjustment issue.

3. Councilperson Alissia Canady. Councilperson Canady spoke about the contributing factors of crime. She explained Former Chief Forté’s initiative to clean up the City by demolishing the dangerous buildings in the metro area. Councilperson Canady advised that numerous buildings have been demolished or boarded up by the City. In addition to demolishing buildings, she stated that the City is focusing on the illegal dumping issue. Councilperson Canady advised that the City is requesting to elimate their liability for torts of KCPD officers. She explained this is because persons injured in a motor vehicle accident with an officer are the only persons in the United States that can recover twice for damages caused by an officer, since Kansas City is the only city that does not have control over the Department. Eliminating the City’s liability will prevent the City from having to pay to defend lawsuits in which they have no involvement.

Councilperson Canady spoke about the increase of violent crime throughout the City. She explained that the City and the Department need to work together, with the help of the community, to maximize efforts in deterring crime.

4. Chief Richard C. Smith. Chief Richard Smith advised that this would be Deputy Chief Cheryl Rose and Deputy Chief Patty Higgins’ final meeting with the Board. Both Deputy Chief Rose and Higgins will retire from the Department on December 16, 2017. Chief Smith thanked them both for their service with KCPD and wished them well in their retirement. Chief Smith complimented the FOP’s Connect KC program. He said this program has helped bridge the gap between the community and the Department.

5. Public Comments. Mr. William Guy, a restaurant manager in the City Market, spoke about his friendship with Ryan Stokes. Mr. Guy is unhappy with the way black males are viewed and treated by police officers. He expressed his concerns regarding procedures used by KCPD on the night Ryan Stokes was shot by the police and the investigation that followed the shooting.

6. Approval of minutes. A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to approve the minutes of the open meeting on November 14, 2017. The vote was 5-0 in favor.

7. Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 99. Sergeant Brad Lemon spoke about opening communication between Lodge 99 and the community. Sergeant Lemon also spoke about the Connect KC program that Chief Smith spoke about earlier in the meeting. He advised that the program has provided feedback from the community regarding their needs. After receiving some feedback, Connect KC has partnered with an organization that allows members of the community and their families to enroll in healthcare. This is just one of the ways Connect KC helps the members of the community. Sergeant Lemon advised that the FOP and officers from the Shoal Creek Division delivered Christmas gifts to foster homes around the metro area earlier in the week, and the FOP will be meeting at Target in the Ward Parkway Shopping Center on December 13th, to purchase Christmas gifts for an additional 150 children. Sergeant Lemon thanked Secretary/Attorney David Kenner and Commissioner Garrett for their monetary donations to provide Christmas gifts to these children. Sergeant Lemon also spoke about the need to pass the peer counseling legislation for police officers. Missouri is the only state in the area that hasn’t passed this legislation, and he believes it is needed for police officers that are needing to talk to each other about the critical incidents they encounter in a privileged manner.

8. Executive Services Bureau. Deputy Chief Patty Higgins presented the following items for Board approval:

a. Budget Transfers for Fiscal Year 2017-18. A memorandum dated December 1, 2017, was presented to recommend approval of budget transfers. This budget transfer will affect the General Fund, Police Drug Enforcement Fund, and the Police Grants Fund.

A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner Wagner, to approve the budget transfers as presented. The vote was 5-0 in favor.

b. Annual Financial Audit. A memorandum dated November 27, 2017, was presented to recommend approval of the option to renew the fourth of four additional one-year periods of audit services with Cochran Head Vick & Company.

A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner Garrett, to approve the renewal of the fourth of four additional one-year periods of audit services with Cochran Head Vick & Company. The vote was 5-0 in favor.

c. Memex Patriarch System Replacement Upgrade. A memorandum dated December 1, 2017, was presented to recommend the approval of the sole-source Memex Patriarch System Replacement Upgrade at a total anticipated expenditure of $184,480.00. The Patriarch system is utilized on a daily basis by investigative units, Law Enforcement Resource Center, Intelligence Unit, Narcotics and Vice, and the Terrorism Early Warning Center. This system has not been updated or upgraded since 2008 and has reached its end of life. The replacement and upgrade will allow for a more efficient and effective use of the system.

A motion was made by Commissioner Garrett, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to approve the Memex Patriarch System Replacement upgrade at a total anticipated expenditure of $184,480.00. The vote was 5-0 in favor.

d. Work Zone Program Order #CWZEC13Z. A memorandum dated November 20, 2017, was presented to recommend acceptance of the Program Order #2 for the FY17 Work Zone Program Order #CWZEC13Z, to increase the contract amount by $86,706.31 for the period of July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2017. The new award total will be $128,706.31. This program provides funding for overtime to increase safety and deter accidents in work zones.

A motion was made by Commissioner Tolbert, with a second by Commissioner Wagner, to approve accept the award as presented. The vote was 5-0 in favor.

e. Report Reproduction and Record Check Fees. A memorandum dated November 30, 2017, was presented to recommend approval to decrease the report reproduction fees from $11.00 to $3.00, and to decrease the record check fees from $9.00 to $2.00. The cost of research/microfilm fees will remain at $34.00 per hour and the paper costs will remain at $1.00 for every ten pages. This fee change would be effective as of January 1, 2018.

In response to a question from Mayor James, the Board made a decision to table the vote and discuss these fee changes in closed session because of a legal issue.

f. 2017 COPS Universal Hiring Award 2017ULWX0007. A memorandum dated December 4, 2017, was presented to recommend acceptance of the 2017 COPS Universal Hiring Award 2017ULWX0007 in the amount of $3,293,041.00 ($1,875,000.00 Federal Funds and $1,418,041.00 Local Match). The award period is November 1, 2017 through October 31, 2020. Funding from the grant will be used to hire 15 officers.

A motion was made by Commissioner Garrett, with a second by Commissioner Wagner, to accept the 2017 COPS Universal Hiring Award 2017ULWX0007 in the amount of $3,293,041.00. The vote was 5-0 in favor.

g. Communication Unit Update. Deputy Chief Higgins provided an update on the Communications Unit. She advised that the current average 911 call time is 20 seconds, improving from 28 second call times in October. The Communications Unit is currently staffed with 87 members, and is just five members short of the authorized staffing level of 92 members. There are currently 18 newly hired call takers in various stages of training. Five of these members are expected to complete all training by December 17, 2017. The next call taker class well begin on January 29, 2018, and will hopefully fill the five empty positions and the Unit will be fully staffed. Deputy Chief Higgins advised that the total number of overtime hours worked year-to-date is 17,480, at a cost of $435,169. Every pay period, or every two weeks, the Unit is averaging 777 hours of overtime, at a cost of $27,000. The Communications Unit is relying heavily on staffing resources from outside of the Unit. In November, seven non-Communications Unit, Department personnel and 14 outside contractors worked 412 hours of overtime. These resources are directed at maintaining minimum staffing levels within the Unit and reducing mandatory overtime for Unit personnel. Deputy Chief Higgins stated that the Communications Unit personnel have done an excellent job at hiring, training, and working a significant amount of overtime, however, they cannot sustain the current level of service and improve service by relying on mandatory overtime, contract employees, and non-unit member overtime. The 21 Communications Specialist positions listed in the Fiscal Year 2018-19 Budget are essential to sustain emergency services in Kansas City.

Deputy Chief Higgins thanked the Department and wished all members of the Department and Board the best of luck in the future.

9. Professional Development and Research Bureau. Deputy Chief Bob Kuehl presented the Academy Class Summary for December 2017.

Deputy Chief Kuehl requested Board approval for the following consent agenda items:

a. Project #1026: Media Contacts and Interactions
b. Project #930: Sworn Ranks, Titles, and Promotion Process
c. Project #1007: Response to Primarily Civil Incidents
d. Project #1071: Code of Ethics and Rules of Conduct
e. Project #1023: Department Paychecks/Direct Deposit

Commissioner Shurin requested additional time to review Project #930 and

Project #1071. A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner Garrett, to approve Project #1026, Project #1007, and Project #1023 as presented. The vote was 5-0 in favor. Project #930 and Project #1071 will be voted on at the meeting on January 23, 2018.

10. Investigations Bureau. Deputy Chief Cheryl Rose presented the Board with the Investigations Bureau reports for November 2017. Deputy Chief Rose advised that to-date in 2017, there have been 138 homicides, compared to 124 at this time last year. Deputy Chief Rose advised that the Department’s clearance rate is 56%, which has increased from the beginning of the year. She explained that the Department uses the NIBIRS and UCR clearance rates. These rates do not include officer-involved shootings. The Department defines clearance as follows: cleared is with an arrest and charges; exceptionally cleared is when you have enough evidence to arrest and charge, but the suspect cannot be charged because the suspect is either deceased or in prison for another crime. Deputy Chief Rose advised that the number of drive-by shootings is continuing to trend downward. This is the fifth consecutive month that the number of drive-bys has decreased. Deputy Chief Rose advised that an additional report has been included in the Investigations Bureau report that includes the number of homicides from each month throughout the year. Last year’s monthly homicide numbers are also provided in this report for comparison. Deputy Chief Rose noted that the Department of Justice visited the Department to offer technical assistance. The Department requested a list of best practices throughout the country, included focused deterrence. Deputy Chief Rose thanked the entire Department and its partners for all of their hard work during her time on the Department.

Mayor James spoke about Deputy Chief Rose and Higgins’ retirement from the Department, and Commissioner Angela Wasson-Hunt’s retirement from the Board. He mentioned that due to these retirements, all of the Board members, the Chief, and the Deputy Chiefs are males, and explained that it is necessary to have women in these positions as well.

11. Administration Bureau. Deputy Chief Karl Oakman presented the Regional Criminalistics Division monthly statistics for December 2017. Deputy Chief Oakman provided an update on the Matrix Staffing Study recommendations for the Administration Bureau. The Information Services Division, Regional Criminalistic Division, Human Resources Division, and the Property and Evidence Unit makes up the Administration Bureau. Deputy Chief Oakman advised that the Human Resources Division was moved from the Chief’s Office to the Administration Bureau in October as a recommendation from Matrix.

Matrix made the following recommendations for the Human Resources Division: develop a human resources strategic and business plan; civilianize the Wellness Unit and the Benefits Captain; implement measures to ensure a maximum six-month hiring guideline; develop a robust recruitment and retention strategy; and examine the need and necessity of polygraph use. Deputy Chief Oakman advised that the Department is currently developing strategic and business plans, while reviewing and updating internal processes. The Department disagrees with civilianizing the Wellness Unit and the Benefits Captain because a majority of the issues presented in these positions affect sworn personnel. The Department is currently working on a two-month maximum hiring guideline, and is now using the Internal Affairs Unit to conduct fast and efficient background investigations. Deputy Chief Oakman advised that the Department is currently developing new strategies for recruitment with reduced processing times. The Department is training new polygraphists, and using the CSVA on civilian applicants instead of polygraphs. The CSVA is a computer voice stress analyzer test that detects, measures, and displays changes in the voice frequency.

Matrix made the following recommendations for the Information Services Division: create and implement a strategic plan; consolidate services, infrastructure, purchasing agreements, and equipment between the police and city, merge several IT sections together to include special projects, applications development, help desk, and technology support; add two positions to the Digital Technology Section; civilianize the Digital Technology Section; add three administrative assistant positions to the criminal records section; increase Real Time Staffing to nine administrative assistants; and add one crime scene technician and 19 laboratory analysts.

Deputy Chief Oakman advised that a revised strategic plan is being developed as they integrate the various projects currently being undertaken by the Division. With regard to consolidating services with the City, Deputy Chief Oakman advised that the recommended items have been addressed under One IT. He also advised that the Help Desk has been absorbed into a newly configured Tech Support Section. The beneficial offshoot of this is that the new Network Services Section was created, with a staff of four members and a supervisor. The Department agrees that two positions should be added to the Digital Technology Section, but disagrees that it should be completely civilianized. Law enforcement presence in this section is needed to ensure that the needs of the law enforcement users in the Department are understood. The Department agrees with the recommendation to add positions to the Criminal Records Section and the Real Time Section. Additional staff has been requested. The Department also agrees with the recommendation to add additional personnel to the Regional Criminalistic Division; however, the cost would be approximately $1.5 million per year. This recommendation was not figured into the Department’s 2018 Budget.

The Chief noted that the rapid DNA testing will permit a reduction in test time from 9-12 days to 45 minutes.

Matrix recommended that the Property and Evidence Unit add two inventory specialists to the Unit and civilianize several sworn positions. Deputy Chief Oakman advised that the Department agrees with the recommendation to add two inventory specialists to the Unit. He also advised that the Captain in the Information Technology Systems Unit could be a civilian IT Manager, but the Information Services Division should be commanded by a Major instead of an IT Director. Captains in Property and Evidence and Information Management Units could be civilian, however the sergeants need to be assigned to these units due to safety and security. The Captain over Crime Scene should remain due to the nature of the position. The Operations Sergeant can be civilianized into an Assistant Lab Director.

Overall, Matrix recommended an increase of 29 civilian staff to the Administration Bureau. This recommendation will cost an additional approximate cost of $2 million per year.

Deputy Chief Oakman provided an update on minority recruitment efforts. He advised that in addition to reducing the hiring process time, the Department is almost completed with the online application. Once the graphics are imported and an inbox communication piece is created between the applicant and the Employment Unit, the application will be online and ready for use. This application will be online on January 1, 2018. The Employment Unit has participated in recruiting events at Palestine Church, Harvest Church, Sheffield Church, Zion Grove Baptist Church, Concord Fortress of Hope Church, Career Day at Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy, New House Women’s Shelter, Women’s Employment Network Job Fair at Crown Center, L.G.B.T.Q. recruitment event at Riverfront Park, Greek Picnic at Swope Park, and the Bosnian Community Picnic Event. They also attended career days at the following schools: Kauffman Scholars, Manual Tech Career Center, Grandview High School, Raytown South High School, Southeast High School, Ruskin High School, and the Bob Mohart Youth Leadership Law Enforcement Day. The KCPD Community Recruitment Fair will be on January 13, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at the Hillcrest Community Center, 10401 Hillcrest Road, Kansas City.

The Employment Unit is continuing to build relationships at college and universities with high minority and female populations, placing advertisements on area high schools’ sports calendars, engage community stakeholders, and meeting with disqualified applicants to discuss future corrections to be a police officer. The Department is in the process of developing a minority recruitment drive with Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Deputy Chief Oakman also spoke about developing a summer Youth Police Academy for ages 12-15.

12. Patrol Bureau. Acting Deputy Chief Scott Glaeser advised the Board that on December 10, 2017, Captain Ryan Mills and Officer Aaron Smith were working at Arrowhead Stadium when they heard screaming in the parking lot. They found a 60-year old male lying on the pavement without a pulse. They began CPR and continued until Fire Department personnel arrived to take over. After several minutes, the male regained a pulse.

Acting Deputy Chief Glaeser presented the Monthly Offense Summary dated October 2017. Acting Deputy Chief Glaeser stated that Part I crimes and Part I violent crimes throughout the City are decreasing.

Acting Deputy Chief Glaeser presented the Traffic Summary for the month of November 2017. Acting Deputy Chief Glaeser advised there have been 93 fatalities to date this year, there were 68 at this time last year. He advised that common factors in the fatality accidents throughout the City are high speed driving, driving under the influence, and not wearing seatbelts. Acting Deputy Chief Glaeser advised that members of the Traffic Unit are working diligently to ensure roadway safety.

13. Office of General Counsel. Associate General Counsel Jamie Cook spoke for General Counsel Virginia Murray in her absence. Associate General Counsel Cook stated she had nothing for discussion at this time.

14. Private Officer Licensing Unit. Manager Tamy Gallagher presented the following Private Officer License appeal:

a. Private Officer License Appeal, Mr. Tyrone W. Fernandez. A memorandum dated October 3, 2017, recommended the denial of the armed private security license of Mr. Tyrone W. Fernandez. The basis for the denial is outlined in Title 17 of the Code of State Regulations, Section 10-2.050(3)(H), which stipulates, the qualifications for a private security license and states that an applicant must “Be of good moral character by having no felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions, or city ordinance convictions, which have an essential element fraud, dishonesty, an act of violence, bribery, illegal drug use, sexual misconduct, and other similar acts constituting moral turpitude as defined by the common law of Missouri except that city ordinance convictions involving driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be considered on a case-by-case basis.” The basis for Mr. Fernandez’s denial was his misdemeanor conviction for Resisting Arrest on January 15, 2016, in Kansas City, Kansas. This appeal was presented at the November Board meeting, but was tabled for a month. Mr. Fernandez was invited to this meeting to provide background information on his resisting arrest conviction. Mr. Fernandez was present, and provided the Board with an explanation regarding his appeal.

A motion was made by Commissioner Shurin, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to grant the appeal and permit the armed private security license of Mr. Tyrone W. Fernandez. The vote was 5-0 in favor.

b. Private Officer License Appeal, Mr. Willie A. Meadows. A memorandum dated November 30, 2017, recommended the denial of the unarmed private security license of Mr. Willie A. Meadows. The basis for the denial is outlined in Title 17 of the Code of State Regulations, Section 10-2.050(3)(G), which stipulates, an applicant must “Not have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in federal or state court.” Mr. Meadows has a felony conviction for Sell/Furnish/ETC Marijuana/Hash, on March 20, 2000, in San Diego, California.

After discussion, the Board agreed to table the appeal in order to further discuss the Private Officer Licensing appeal process, and requested additional information be provided on Mr. Meadows felony conviction.

c. Private Officer License Appeal, Ms. Yvonne L. Taylor. A memorandum dated December 4, 2017, recommended the denial of the unarmed private security license of Ms. Yvonne L. Taylor. The basis for the denial is outlined in Title 17 of the Code of State Regulations, Section 10-2.050(3)(H), which stipulates, “Be of good moral character by having no felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions, or city ordinance convictions, which have as an essential element fraud, dishonesty, and act of violence, bribery, illegal drug use, sexual misconduct, and other similar acts constituting moral turpitude.” Ms. Taylor has misdemeanor convictions for abuse of a child on March 29, 2013, and on March 12, 2015, out of Kansas City, Missouri. She also has a conviction for stealing on September 21, 2017, out of Independence, Missouri.

A motion was made by Commissioner Garrett, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to deny the appeal and revoke the unarmed private security license of Ms. Yvonne L. Taylor. The vote was 5-0 in favor.

A motion was made by Commissioner Shurin, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to uphold the appeal and grant Mr. Fernandez an armed security license. The vote was 5-0 in favor.

15. Human Resources. Director Meredith Rund presented the Personnel Summary dated November 3, 2017. For this time period, Department strength is 1,295 law enforcement and 526 civilians.

16. Office of Community Complaints. Director Merrell Bennekin stated he had nothing for discussion at this time.

17. Scheduled meetings.

The Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri has scheduled the following meetings:

Regular Meetings:

January 23, 2018, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
February 13, 2018, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
March 20, 2018, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
April 10, 2018, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
May 8, 2018, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
June 12, 2018, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.

A motion was made by Commissioner Tolbert, with a second by Mayor James, and by vote indicated below, to adjourn its open meeting at 12:26 p.m. and reconvene in closed session as provided in the following resolution. Following a roll call, the vote was 5-0 in favor.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, notice of the board meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners was given on October 20, 2016, 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, December 12, 2017, at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 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:

Mayor Sylvester “Sly” James – Aye
Commissioner Mark Tolbert – Aye
Commissioner Don Wagner – Aye
Commissioner Nathan Garrett – Aye
Commissioner Leland M. Shurin – 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 December 12, 2017:

1) Following a motion by Commissioner Garrett and a second by Commissioner Tolbert, the Board voted to approve the applications for continued employment of Reserve Officer Stanley Thomas, Sergeant James Fuller and Detective Laurie Borkowski. The vote was 5-0 in favor. Following polling, Mayor James voted Aye, Commissioner Tolbert voted Aye, Commissioner Wagner voted Aye, Commissioner Garrett voted Aye, and Commissioner Shurin voted Aye.

2) Following a motion by Commissioner Wagner and a second by Commissioner Garrett, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the closed session of the Board of Police Commissioners on November 14, 2017. The vote was 5-0 in favor. Following polling, Mayor James voted Aye, Commissioner Tolbert voted Aye, Commissioner Wagner voted Aye, Commissioner Garrett voted Aye, and Commissioner Shurin voted Aye.

3) Following a motion by Commissioner Garrett and a second by Mayor James, the Board voted to come out of closed session at 2:20 p.m. The vote was 5-0 in favor. Following polling, Mayor James voted Aye, Commissioner Tolbert voted Aye, Commissioner Wagner voted Aye, Commissioner Garrett voted Aye, and Commissioner Shurin voted Aye.

The Board resumed their open session meeting at 2:21 p.m.

A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to approve the decrease of report reproduction fees from $11.00 to $3.00, and to decrease the record check fees from $9.00 to $2.00. The change is effective January 1, 2018. The vote was 5-0 in favor.

A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to approve the One IT MOU with the City of Kansas City, Missouri. The vote was 5-0 in favor.

A motion was made by Commissioner Garrett, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to adjourn its open meeting at 2:22 p.m. The vote was 5-0 in favor.

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President

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Secretary/Attorney

 

Board of Police Commissioners Minutes