March 19, 2019, Meeting
MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019
A meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri was held on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust Street, Kansas City.
PRESENT:
Commissioner Nathan Garrett, President
Commissioner Mark Tolbert, Member
Mayor Sylvester “Sly” James, Jr., Member
Mr. David V. Kenner, Secretary/Attorney
Richard C. Smith, Chief of Police
ABSENT:
Commissioner Leland M. Shurin, Vice-President
Commissioner Don Wagner, Treasurer
This meeting was called to order at 9:34 a.m. by Commissioner Garrett. Officer Ashley Wilson led the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain Lenny LaGuardia provided the invocation. Commissioners Shurin and Wagner had excused absences.
- Awards and Commendations. The Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Ms. Leslie Caplan. Ms. Caplan has served as the president of the Scarritt Neighborhood Association from 2011 until this year. She has worked closely with five different commanders of the East Patrol Division and numerous city leaders to make remarkable changes in her Historic Northeast neighborhood.
Community Interaction Officer Coordinator, Officer Jason Cooley, said Ms. Caplan’s super power is her ability to rally everyone together to work toward the common good. She’s gotten the City Manager, Councilmembers, and the Chief to meetings in her living room, and led her neighbors in numerous betterment projects.
Some of Ms. Caplan’s achievements include: Creating one of the City’s strongest block watch programs, creating a codes enforcement and support program, multiple neighborhood clean-ups, using crime free multi-housing to address several slum lord problems, the dismantling of dangerous buildings and the boarding up of others, drug house closures, using crime prevention through environmental design to improve safety in alley ways, and Concourse Park improvements, including a Fourth of July celebration.
Ms. Caplan is also part of Friends of Cliff Drive, to improve conditions along that historic roadway, and she supports the Kansas City Museum, as well as many other projects focused on the Historic Northeast area. Every year, she hosts a chili dinner at her house for all of her neighborhood, government and non-profit partners. Ms. Caplan consistently supports other neighborhoods at their meetings and events in the Historic Northeast, and has worked with the UMKC Center for Neighborhoods to advise neighborhood leaders from around the City.
Ms. Caplan has recently stepped down as president of the Scarritt Neighborhood Association to focus on the rehabilitation of another historic home in Scarritt. She continues to attend meetings, stay involved, and provide advice to those stepping in to keep the momentum moving forward.
The Medal of Valor was presented to Officer Jared Tipton. At approximately 6:00 p.m. on June 9, 2018, Officer Tipton was at home and off duty when he heard the sound of gunshots. The gunshots sounded as though they came from a populated area, where a large church and gas station are located. Officer Tipton grabbed his gun and badge and ran out of his apartment. As he did so, he heard more gunshots. With no regard for his own safety, he ran toward the sound of shots because he was afraid it was an active shooter.
He arrived at the gas station, and saw a red Chevy Impala with broken glass around it. He looked to see if anyone was inside. There wasn’t, but he found a silver Dodge Journey that had been shot into. No one inside had been shot. Several witnesses said one of the shooters had gotten out of the Impala, and ran across the street behind a bank. Officer Tipton ran that direction, and saw the man that witnesses had described. Officer Tipton identified himself as an officer, and ordered the man to get on the ground. Officer Tipton held the man at gunpoint while he called dispatchers and asked for them to send on-duty officers.
Further investigation revealed that two individuals were shooting at each other from the two vehicles in broad daylight at a busy gas station, firing approximately 21 rounds between them. In the course of their gun battle, they struck a car with a woman and her five-year-old son inside, as well as two houses. A four-year-old boy at one of the houses was shot in the arm. The suspect that Officer Tipton took into custody was a felon in possession of a firearm. Officer Tipton knew none of this when he ran toward the gunshots with little protection and no back up. He just knew many people could be in danger.
The Board took a recess at 9:42 a.m. The meeting resumed at 9:49 a.m.
- Chief Richard C. Smith. Chief Smith spoke about the Major Cities Chief Association’s Risk Assessment across the United States. The threat assessment ranked crime in the following order: 1) Violent crime with a firearm, 2) Drug User/Derivative Crime, 3) Drug Trafficking, 4) Decentralized Street Gangs, 5) Opioid Epidemic and 6) Homicide. The Department ranks homicide as the number one threat.
Sergeant Jonas Baughman presented a PowerPoint detailing Risk Terrain Modeling (RTM). RTM is a geographical approach to crime fighting that uses layering maps and environmental factors to determine crime. Using a geographic information system, officers can explore the relationship between crime and locations such as liquor stores, convenience stores, and bus stops. The software can generate a heat map that indicates where law enforcement should devote more resources, such as adding lighting around a dark bus stop. The idea of RTM is to make risk terrain maps, direct resources to the high-risk areas, and then measure and evaluate the results. RTM will be integrated into the weekly crime meetings.
Ms. Sarah Boyd and Ms. Elizabeth Phelps, Public Relation Specialists in the Department’s Media Unit, introduced the new Department website. They highlighted the main features on the website, such as online job applications, division locations and phone numbers, and a place to submit tips on unsolved/cold cases. The new website is www.kcpd.org.
- Approval of minutes. A motion was made by Commissioner Tolbert, with a second by Mayor James, to approve the minutes of the open meeting on January 8, 2019. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
- Executive Services Bureau. Deputy Chief Roger Lewis presented the following items for Board approval:
a. Budget Transfers for Fiscal Year 2018-19. A memorandum dated
March 8, 2019, was presented to recommend approval of budget transfers. This budget transfer will affect the General Fund, Police Drug Enforcement Fund, Police Grants Fund, Special Services Special Revenue Fund and the Grants Special Revenue Fund.
A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to approve the budget transfers as presented. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
b. Adjustment to Special Revenue Accounts for Fiscal Year 2018-19. A
memorandum dated March 8, 2019, was presented to recommend the sum of $11,225 be appropriated from the Private Officers Licensing Background Check Fund to the Private Officers Licensing Office Equipment Fund.
A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to adjust the special revenue accounts as presented. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
c. Renewal Bid No. 2017-6, Ammunition/Munitions. A memorandum dated
March 4, 2019, was presented to recommend approval for the renewal of Bid No. 2016-6 for ammunitions and munitions at a total anticipated expenditure of $415,347.00. The contract period will be May 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020.
A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to approve the renewal of Bid No. 2017-6 as presented. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
d. Bid 2019-8, Motorcraft Parts, Brakes/Components and Accessories.
A memorandum dated February 5, 2019, was presented to recommend awarding Bid 2019-8 for motorcraft parts, brakes/components and accessories to Factory Motor Parts at an estimated annual expenditure of $205,000.00. The contract period is from May 1, 2019, through April 30, 2020, with the option to renew for two (2) additional one-year periods.
A motion was made by Commissioner Tolbert, with a second by Mayor James, to award Bid 2019-8 to Factory Motor Parts as presented. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
e. RFP 2019-11, Overhaul of Turbine Engine for Helicopters. A memorandum dated February 14, 2019, was presented to recommend awarding RFP 2019-11, Overhaul of Turbine Engine for Helicopters, to Dallas Automotive at a cost of $126,780.89, excluding tear down. Dallas Automotive has completed engine and component rebuilds previously for the Department, and are commended by the maintenance staff of the Helicopter Unit.
A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to award RFP 2019-11 to Dallas Automotive for the overhaul of the turbine engines for helicopters as presented. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
f. MCSAP 2018 Contract Amendment. A memorandum dated February 25, 2019, recommended acceptance of the additional funding to the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) 2018 Grant, for the purchase of a Synercon Forensic Link Adapter and a three-year software license. The new award amount will be $1,295,657.58, which is an increase of $27,000.00 over the original contract amount. The grant is 85 percent federally funded ($1,101,308.94), and has a 15 percent local match ($194,348.64).
A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to accept the additional funding to the MCSAP 2018 Grant as presented. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
g. Midwest HIDTA Cooperative Award #G17MW0005A. A memorandum dated February 28, 2019, was presented to recommend approval of a modification of the Fiscal Year 2017 Midwest HIDTA Cooperative Award #G17MW0005A from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. This modification is increasing the funding by $25,000 for the period of January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018. The award combines the HIDTA Kansas City Metropolitan Enforcement Task Force and the Street Crimes Unit. This is the 20th year for the award. The grantor requested two budgets for this award, which includes the Task Force and the Street Crimes Unit. The total award is no $1,095,405.00, and is 100 percent federally funded. The Task Force portion is $928,149.00, and the Street Crimes Unit portion is $167,256.00.
A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to approve the modification to the Midwest HIDTA Cooperative Award #G17MW0005A as presented. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
h. East Patrol Division High Crime Area Camera Project. A memorandum dated March 18, 2019, was presented to recommend utilizing the Kansas City Regional Purchasing Cooperative Contract #73 awarded to Electronic Technology, Inc., for the purchase and installation of the East Patrol Division High Crime Area Camera Project. The contract is administered by the Mid America Regional Counsel, and meets the requirements for this project. The anticipated cost is $535,620.00. The funds are being provided by the Police Foundation of Kansas City, with a 50 percent match from the City of Kansas City, Missouri.
A vote was made by Commissioner Tolbert, with a second by Mayor James, to approve the purchase and installation of cameras from Electronic Technology as presented. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
Deputy Chief Lewis provided an update on the Communications Unit. He
advised to-date 2019, the Call Center received approximately 142,000 calls. The 911 hold time for the month of February 2019 was 12 seconds, compared to 13 seconds in January 2019 and 17 seconds in February 2018. Deputy Chief Lewis advised that the Communications Unit is currently staffed with 99 members, leaving seven vacant positions. A new call taker class will begin on April 29, 2019, and is expected to fill all of the vacancies.
- Professional Development and Research Bureau. Major Diane Mozzicato spoke for Deputy Chief Bob Kuehl during his absence. Major Mozzicato presented the Academy Class Summary for March 2019. She advised that a lateral class will graduate from the Academy next week. Major Mozzicato and Sergeant Salatha Jones presented a PowerPoint on “A Day in the Life of Recruit Training.” Major Mozzicato advised that POST requires 600 hours of training to receive a Class A license; the Regional Police Academy provides over 1,000 hours of training.
Major Mozzicato requested Board approval for the following consent agenda item:
a. Project #818: Personnel Actions and Salary Adjustments
A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner
Tolbert, to approve the consent agenda item as presented. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
- Investigations Bureau. Deputy Chief David Bosworth presented the Investigations Bureau report for February 2019. Deputy Chief Bosworth advised that to-date 2019, there have been 30 homicides, compared to 28 at this time last year. There have been 82 living shooting victims identified, compared to 91 at for the same time period last year. There have been 73 drive by shootings in 2019, compared to 56 at this time last year. The Department has recovered 414 firearms to-date 2019, and submitted 45 felon-in-possession cases.
Deputy Chief Bosworth advised that narcotics related arrests are down 24 percent due to personnel shortages. The amounts of cocaine and marijuana recovered are down, but the amounts of methamphetamine and heroin recovered are up.
- Administration Bureau. Deputy Chief Oakman presented the Regional Criminalistics Division monthly statistics for March 2018 and the Human Resources Personnel Summary dated March 5, 2019. For this time period, Department strength is 1,303 sworn law enforcement and 557 career civilians.
Deputy Chief Oakman advised that Niche, a records management system, went live on Monday, March 18, 2018. Niche is replacing Tiburon. He also advised that there will be a new Academy class beginning in June 2019. The Department will host three Youth Academy sessions this summer, for ages 12-15 years old. The dates will soon be posted on the Department’s website.
Members from the Crime Lab provided a demonstration on the TruNarc device.
- Patrol Bureau. Deputy Chief Sharon Laningham spoke about a motorcycle officer that was hit by a driver on St. Patrick’s Day. The officer received minor injuries, but has since returned home to recover. Deputy Chief Laningham shared photos of officers interacting with citizens at events throughout the City during the month of February.
Deputy Chief Laningham presented the Monthly Crime and Offense Summary dated January 2019. She advised that the average response time for Priority 10 calls was 8.13 minutes, with a goal of 7.50 minutes. The response time for Priority 20 calls was 9.85 minutes, with a goal of nine minutes.
Deputy Chief Laningham presented the Traffic Summary for the month of February 2019. There have been 24,454 total citations issued to-date 2019, compared to 23,064 at this time last year. In the month of February 2019, there were 42 City DUI arrests, and 24 additional cases submitted for state prosecution. There have been 7 fatality motor vehicle accidents in to-date 2019, compared to 7 at this time last year.
- Office of General Counsel. General Counsel Jenny Atterbury presented the following Private Officer License appeals:
a. Private Officer License Appeal, Champion National Security, Inc. A memorandum dated February 21, 2019, was presented to recommend a $5,000.00 fine and five years’ probation to Champion National Security, Inc. The basis for the fine and probation is outlined in Title 17 of the Code of State Regulations 10-2.060(8)(G), “The Chief of Police of his/her designee may impose a fine, order probation, order suspension, or revoke a license of any company granted under section 84.720 of the Revised Statues of Missouri pursuant to the procedures set forth in section (10) of this rule, when there exists information that licensee, or if the licensee is an organization, any of its officers, directors, partners, or associates has, failed to meet the standards as set out herein.” On August 26, 2018, Mr. Leroy Williams, Jr. was working armed without a private security license at Save A Lot, 3821 Truman Road.
On November 21, 2018, Manager Tamy Gallagher of the Private Officer Licensing Unit sent a letter to Champion National Security, Inc., requesting a list of all employees, contract times and locations from July 1, 2018 to November 21, 2018. After reviewing those records, it was determined that not only was Mr. Williams not licensed, but Champion National Security, Inc. had seven additional individuals who worked in Kansas City, Missouri without first procuring a private security license as outlined in State Statute.
On February 8, 2018, Manager Gallagher requested written documentation from Champion National Security, Inc., which outlined a new system in place to ensure all their employees were properly licensed and to eliminate future violations. Champion was also given a February 8, 2019, deadline to license five employees to avoid additional penalties.
A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to deny the appeal and issue a $5,000 fine and five years’ probation to Champion National Security, Inc. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
b. Private Officer License Appeal, Mr. Quentin I. Neal. A memorandum dated February 15, 2019, was presented to recommend the denial of the unarmed private security license of Mr. Quentin I. Neal. The basis for the denial is outlined in Title 17 of the Code of State Regulations 10-2.050, Section (3)(P), which stipulates each applicant applying for a license under these provisions must meet these standards, the qualifications for a private security license states that an applicant “being terminated from or resigning under investigation or threat of discharge from the department shall make an individual ineligible for a license, but s/he may appeal to the Board pursuant to the appeal process contained in this chapter.” Mr. Neal resigned from the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department pending the recommendation of termination on August 1, 2018. Mr. Neal checked “No” on question three of the former KCPD questionnaire that asks, “Were you terminated or did you leave under threat of termination?” On January 14, 2019, Mr. Neal responded to the Private Officer Licensing Section and advised he left pending termination and wished to change his questionnaire form.
A motion was made by Commissioner Tolbert, with a second by Mayor James, to deny the unarmed private security license of Mr. Quentin I. Neal. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
c. Private Officer License Appeal, Mr. Nicholas L. Wolf. A memorandum dated February 25, 2019, was presented to recommend denial of the unarmed private security license of Mr. Nicholas L. Wolf. The basis for the denial is outlined in Title 17 of the Code of State Regulations, Section 10-2.050(3)(G), which stipulates each applicant applying for a license under these provisions must meet these standards and may be denied if he/she has, “been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor in federal or state court.” Mr. Wolf has a misdemeanor conviction for possession up to 35 grams of marijuana in Nodway County on April 20, 2016.
A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to uphold the appeal and grant the unarmed private security license to Mr. Nicholas L. Wolf. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
- Scheduled meetings.
The Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri has scheduled the following meetings:
Special Meeting:
April 23, 2019, 9:00 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
This is an open meeting being held to discuss budgetary items via telephone conference.
Board Hearing:
May 10, 2019, 9:00 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
In Re: The Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings of P.O. Daniel Straub #5211
Audit Committee Meeting:
June 27, 2019, 9:00 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
Regular Meetings:
April 9, 2019, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
May 14, 2019, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
June 11, 2019, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
July 9, 2019, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
August 20, 2019, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
September 17, 2019, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
October 22, 2019, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
November 19, 2019, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
December 10, 2019, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
A motion was made by Mayor James, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, and by vote indicated below, to adjourn its open meeting at 11:31 a.m. and reconvene in closed session as provided in the following resolution. Following a roll call, the vote was 3-0 in favor.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, notice of the board meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners was given on August 24, 2018, 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, March 19, 2019, 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:
Commissioner Nathan Garrett - Aye
Commissioner Mark Tolbert - Aye
Mayor Sylvester “Sly” James - 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 March 19, 2018:
The Board went into closed session at 11:46 a.m.
1) Following a motion by Commissioner Tolbert and a second by Commissioner Garrett, the Board voted to approve the applications for continued employment of Deputy Chief Sharon Laningham and Reserve Sergeant Richard Sticken. The vote was 3-0 in favor. Following polling, Commissioner Garrett voted Aye, Mayor James voted Aye, and Commissioner Tolbert voted Aye.
2) Following a motion by Mayor James and a second by Commissioner Tolbert, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the closed sessions of the Board of Police Commissioners on February 12, 2019. The vote was 3-0 in favor. Following polling, Commissioner Garrett voted Aye, Mayor James voted Aye, and Commissioner Tolbert voted Aye.
3) Following a motion by Commissioner Tolbert and a second by Mayor James, the Board voted to come out of closed session and adjourn. The vote was 3-0 in favor. Following polling, Commissioner Garrett voted Aye, Mayor James voted Aye, and Commissioner Tolbert voted Aye.
The meeting adjourned at 12:54 p.m.
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Secretary/Attorney
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President
Board of Police Commissioners Minutes