July 20, 2017, Press Conference

MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS PRESS CONFERENCE
THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

A press conference was held on Thursday, July 20, 2017, at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.

PRESENT:
Commissioner Leland M. Shurin, President
Commissioner Angela Wasson-Hunt, Treasurer
Mayor Sylvester “Sly” James, Jr., Member

ABSENT:
Commissioner Michael C. Rader, Member
Mr. David V. Kenner, Secretary/Attorney

The press conference was called to order at 11:38 a.m. by Commissioner Shurin, who announced the names of two finalists in the KCPD Chief of Police Selection Process: Major Richard Smith of KCPD, and Norman, Oklahoma Chief of Police Keith Humphrey. Commissioner Shurin advised that the Board had selected a third finalist, U. Renee Hall, but Ms. Hall was named the Chief of Police of the Dallas, Texas Police Department earlier in the week.

Commissioner Shurin advised that 42 applicants applied for the position of Chief of Police of KCPD, ten of which did not qualify by Missouri statute. The 32 remaining candidates were interviewed by the consultant, Ralph Andersen and Associates. The Board met with the consultant to review the applications and interview summaries of the candidates. The Board then selected ten applicants to continue with the process. One of the chosen ten dropped out. The Board spent approximately 15 hours interviewing the remaining nine candidates. After a lot of consideration and discussion, the Board narrowed it down to the three finalists listed above.

Commissioner Shurin advised that a Question and Answer Public Forum with the two finalists is scheduled for Thursday, July 27, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri. Commissioner Shurin encouraged community members to attend and submit questions for the finalists. He advised that questions must be submitted prior to the meeting. Questions may be submitted via email to BOPC Secretary/Attorney David Kenner at [email protected], BOPC President Leland Shurin at [email protected], or to BOPC Assistant Bethany Ruoff at [email protected]. Questions may also be mailed to The Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, ATTN: Bethany Ruoff, 1125 Locust Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106 or to Shaffer Lombardo Shurin, ATTN: Leland Shurin, 2001 Wyandotte Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108.

A variety of local media outlets were provided the opportunity to ask the Board questions regarding the Chief of Police Selection process and finalists.

The press conference adjourned at 11:55 a.m.

_________________________
President

__________________________
Secretary/Attorney

Board of Commissioners Minutes