November 19, 2024 Meeting
MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2024
A meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri was held on Tuesday, November 19, 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. Sergeant Deborah Randol led the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain John Jones provided the invocation.
1. City Update. City Director of Public Safety and Jackson County Prosecutor-Elect Melesa Johnson provided an update on current activities happening at City Hall. Ms. Johnson advised that on October 10, 2024, City Council passed an ordinance to purchase a $2.3 million parcel of land adjacent to the new Jackson County Detention Center on 40 Highway. The Jackson County Legislature will now decide if they will allow the City to purchase this parcel of land.
Ms. Johnson spoke about the ongoing efforts by the City’s multi-disciplinary public safety task force. This group has made great strides, utilizing risk terrain modeling data from KCPD to identify problem areas, conduct inspections, and address nuisance issues across the City. The group has been actively involved in street racing and block party enforcement activity. Ms. Johnson advised that the most recent street racing enforcement activity resulted in 16 spectator citations issued, four arrests, 10 towed vehicles, recovery of one stolen auto and one stolen firearm, and 32 stopstick deployments.
The Board and Chief Stacey Graves congratulated Prosecutor-Elect Johnson. Chief Graves thanked Ms. Johnson for her great working relationship during her time at the City, and looks forward to future collaboration with the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.
2. General Discussion from the Chief of Police. Chief Stacey Graves spoke about Department staffing. She explained that law enforcement staffing shortages is a nationwide issue and is not unique to Kansas City. Nationwide, applications are down 40 percent. She stated that a major contributing factor is that police officers do not feel like they are currently valued and supported. Chief Graves explained that since KCPD improved the pay scale for sworn members, Department strength is improving and is on pace to meet attrition rates. The Department has also seen a record number of lateral transfers and re-hires; 19 lateral transfers, with 13 in the process. The salary increases have also resulted in retaining members that are eligible for retirement. Chief Graves noted that this year there have been 21 fewer retirements and 20 fewer resignations than in 2023. In 2023, the average monthly retirements were 7.3. Thus far in 2024, the average monthly retirements are down to 4.8.
Chief Graves spoke about the reallocation of officers downtown and in entertainment districts to target the ongoing property crimes issues. These efforts have led to numerous arrests.
The Board and Chief Graves discussed the staffing challenges, noting the positive progress made. Chief Graves spoke about the salary study that was done for professional staff positions. The Department plans to implement those changes in the next fiscal year.
3. Investigations Bureau. Deputy Chief Doug Niemeier spoke about the Department’s Assault Unit. There are currently two squads with six detectives each that investigate all bullet-to-skin cases and other assaults without weapons. Deputy Chief Niemeier advised that to-date 2024, there have been 531 bullet-to-skin cases. Due to the large number of cases, command staff recently implemented a third squad in the Assault Unit. These new detectives are currently being trained and will begin investigations in January 2025.
Deputy Chief Niemeier provided an update on crime statistics. He advised that to-date in 2024, there have been a total of 133 homicides, compared to 166 homicides during the same time period in 2023. The Department has cleared 73 homicides this year, plus an additional 21 homicides from previous years, totaling 94 solved homicides. The Department’s clearance rate is 71 percent.
Deputy Chief Niemeier advised that there were 11 homicides that occurred in October 2024. Two of the October homicides occurred within the Central Patrol Division, one within the Metro Patrol Division, six within the East Patrol Division, one within the Shoal Creek Patrol Division, and one within the South Patrol Division.
Deputy Chief Niemeier advised that there have been 531 non-fatal shootings this year, compared to 460 at this same time period in 2023. In October 2024, there were 40 non-fatal shootings, compared to 60 non-fatal shootings in October 2023.
Deputy Chief Niemeier spoke about cases submitted for prosecution. In October 2024, there were 379 cases submitted for prosecution; there were 332 cases submitted to Jackson County, 27 to Clay County, and 20 to Platte County.
Deputy Chief Niemeier advised that National Drug Take Back Day occurred on October 26, 2024. The Department recovered 73 boxes containing 1,683 pounds of prescription drugs at this event.
Deputy Chief Niemeier spoke about a violent offender initiative that was held during the week of November 11, 2024. Members of the Department’s Special Investigations Division, Tactical Response Teams, Strategic Policing Section, and Community Engagement Division partnered with the FBI, IRS, Probation and Parole, and the U.S. Marshals Service. During this citywide sweep of high-priority suspects with outstanding warrants, officers made 38 arrests, 69 warrants cleared, one rifle and five handguns recovered, along with methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, and PCP.
4. Patrol Bureau. Deputy Chief Joseph Mabin spoke of the notable events within the Patrol Bureau in October 2024. 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 October was 9 minutes and 1 second; 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 October was 11 minutes and 51 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 that members of the Traffic Division have issued 49,973 traffic citations year-to-date. During this same time period in 2023, there were 42,648 traffic citations issued. In October 2024, members of the Traffic Division issued 5,073 traffic citations. In October 2023, members of the Traffic Division issued 3,282 traffic citations. Deputy Chief Mabin advised there have been 14,759 citywide crashes year-to-date. During this time period in 2023, there were 15,753 citywide crashes. There were 1,602 citywide crashes in October 2024, compared to 1,620 citywide crashes in October 2023.
Deputy Chief Mabin advised that year-to-date, there have been 71 fatality crashes with 80 victims. During the same time period in 2023, there were 73 fatality crashes with 82 victims. There were seven fatal crashes in the month of October 2024, including a double-fatality accident, and one late death from a crash that occurred in a previous month.
Members of the Traffic Division held five DUI wolfpack enforcement operations in October, which resulted in 62 stops, 27 DUI arrests, and 112 total citations issued. Members of the Traffic Division partnered with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD), holding a side show and street racing enforcement operation on October 27, 2024. This activity resulted in 16 spectator citations issued, four arrests, 10 towed vehicles, recovery of one stolen auto and one stolen firearm, and 32 stopstick deployments. Deputy Chief Mabin noted that during this activity, an undercover KCKPD vehicle was struck by gunfire.
5. Administration Bureau. Deputy Chief Luis Ortiz provided an update on Department staffing. He advised that as of October 31, 2024, Department strength was 1,669. For this time period, there were 1,105 sworn law enforcement personnel, 32 recruits, 527 professional staff, and five Board members; there were 203 total vacancies.
Deputy Chief Ortiz advised that there are currently 44 in the process for possibility eligibility in the next Academy class. Additionally, there are 20 pending job offers; three have already been hired. The Department is currently processing 13 lateral transfers and re-hires.
Deputy Chief Ortiz advised that the Department hired four new members in the Communications Unit this month. He noted that there are nine additional people in the process for possible eligibility.
Deputy Chief Ortiz advised that the Department held law enforcement testing on November 14, 2024. There were 31 applicants that successfully completed the testing, and they will move on in the hiring process. The Department will hold law enforcement testing on December 11, 2024, January 1, 2025, February 12, 2025, and March 15, 2025, at the Regional Police Academy. The Department continues to hire for all positions. More information can be found at https://www.kcpd.org/careers/.
Deputy Chief Ortiz discussed the Department’s recruiting efforts. Mayor Lucas recommended the Department take food to recruiting events, to jump start conversations. Commissioner Romious recommended that the Department survey applicants to see where they are learning about the Department’s job vacancies.
6. Executive Services Bureau. Deputy Chief Derek McCollum presented the following items for Board approval:
a. Budget Transfers for Fiscal Year 2024-25. A memorandum dated November 6, 2024, was presented recommending approval of budget transfers. This transfer will affect the General Fund, the Police Grants Fund, and the Grants Special Revenue Fund.
Mayor Lucas noted the transfer of $1,000,000 from personal services to contractual services. Deputy Chief McCollum advised that this money is coming from a health insurance savings.
A motion was made by Commissioner Whittaker, with a second by Commissioner Elder, to approve the budget transfers as presented. The vote was 4-1 in favor, with Mayor Lucas voting Nay.
b. Adjustment to Special Revenue Accounts for Fiscal Year 2024-25. A memorandum dated November 5, 2024, was presented recommending approval to transfer $150,000 within the Special Services Fund for the Firearms 9mm Conversion Project. The Department is shifting from the Glock 22 – 40 Caliber handgun to the Glock 9mm handgun.
In response to a question, Deputy Chief McCollum advised that the Department purchases the firearms in advance from the distributor at a large purchase discount, and members reimburse the Department via payroll deductions.
A motion was made by Commissioner Romious, with a second by Commissioner Whittaker, to approve a $150,000 adjustment to the Special Services Fund, for the purchase of Glock 9mm firearms. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
c. Adjustment to Special Revenue Accounts for Fiscal Year 2024-25. A memorandum dated November 5, 2024, was presented recommending approval to transfer $30,000, donated by the Police Foundation of Kansas City, to the Special Services Contract Work Fund. This funding will be used for a service that will be contracted through the Department’s Health and Wellness Section.
A motion was made by Commissioner Whittaker, with a second by Commissioner Elder, to approve a $30,000 adjustment to the Special Services Fund, as detailed above. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
d. RFP #2022-2, Installation of Law Enforcement Emergency Equipment. A memorandum dated November 1, 2024, was presented recommending approval of a one-year contract renewal with KA-Comm, Inc., for installation of law enforcement emergency equipment on new Department vehicles, at an estimated expenditure of $325,920.23. The contract period will be December 1, 2024, through November 30, 2025.
A motion was made by Commissioner Romious, with a second by Commissioner Elder, to approve a one-year contract renewal with KA-Comm, Inc., for installation of law enforcement emergency equipment on new Department vehicles, at an estimated expenditure of $325,920.23. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
e. RFP #2023-7, Audit Services. A memorandum dated November 1, 2024, was presented to recommend approval of a one-year contract renewal with Hood & Associates, CPAs, P.C., for auditing services, at an anticipated expenditure of $87,900.00. The contract period will be from February 1, 2025, through January 31, 2026.
A motion was made by Commissioner Whittaker, with a second by Commissioner Romious, to approve a one-year contract renewal with Hood & Associates, CPAs, P.C., for auditing services, at an anticipated expenditure of $87,900.00. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
f. RFP #2023-16, Banking Services. A memorandum dated November 1, 2024, was presented to recommend approval of a one-year contract renewal with UMB Bank, for banking services, at an anticipated expenditure of $8,277.53. The contract period will be from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
A motion was made by Commissioner Romious, with a second by Commissioner Whittaker, to approve a one-year contract renewal with UMB Bank, for banking services, at an anticipated expenditure of $8,277.53. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
g. Firearms Purchase from GT Distributors. A memorandum dated November 7, 2024, was presented to recommend approval to purchase 175 Glock 9mm handguns from GT Distributors, at an anticipated expenditure $146,314.00. Additional purchases will need to be made in the future as inventory is depleted.
A motion was made by Commissioner Romious, with a second by Commissioner Elder, to approve the purchase of 175 Glock 9mm handguns from GT Distributors, at an anticipated expenditure $146,314.00. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
7. Chief’s Office Executive Officer. Deputy Chief Steve Young presented the following consent agenda item:
a. Project 1486: Department Property
A motion was made by Commissioner Whittaker, with a second by Commissioner Elder, to approve Project 1486, Department Property, as presented. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
8. Office of General Counsel. General Counsel Nathan Weinert presented the following private officer license appeals:
a. Private Officer License Appeal: John D. Shroyer. A memorandum dated September 12, 2024, was presented recommending denial of the unarmed private security license of John D. Shroyer. Shroyer was terminated by the Johnson County, Kansas Sheriff’s Office on June 26, 2020. On August 30, 2024, Shroyer applied for an unarmed private security license. On September 9, 2024, The Private Officer Licensing Unit denied this application pursuant to the Code of State Regulations, 17 CSR 10-2.050(3)(O), which states that individuals who have been terminated from a law enforcement agency are ineligible for licensure. On that same day, Shroyer appealed the denial of his application. This appeal was held over from the October 29, 2024, Board meeting.
A motion was made by Commissioner Whittaker, with a second by Mayor Lucas, to uphold the appeal and grant the unarmed private security license of John D. Shroyer. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
b. Private Officer License Appeal: Brandon M. Proctor. A memorandum dated November 12, 2024, was presented recommending denial of the unarmed private security license of Brandon M. Proctor. On September 9, 2024, Mr. Proctor was placed on Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS) probation for one year for Domestic Assault. On November 4, 2024, the Private Officer Licensing Unit advised Mr. Proctor that he would be denied a private security license pending the completion of his SIS. Mr. Proctor then became combative and had to be removed from the Private Officer Licensing Office.
A motion was made by Mayor Lucas, with a second by Commissioner Whittaker, to uphold the decision of the Private Officer Licensing Unit to deny the unarmed private security license of Brandon M. Proctor. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
9. Office of Community Complaints (OCC). Director Merrell Bennekin presented statistics on complaints received by the OCC. In October 2024, the OCC received 23 complaints, compared to 30 complaints received in October 2023. Director Bennekin advised that six of the 23 complaints did not involve members of the KCPD. Director Bennekin advised that the OCC has received 295 complaints year-to-date 2024, compared to 284 during this same time period in 2023.
Director Bennekin advised that during this year’s 3rd Quarter (August-October), the OCC submitted 28 complaints for formal investigation by the Internal Affairs Unit. This is a 27 percent decrease from 3rd Quarter in 2023, when the OCC submitted 52 complaints for formal investigation. The OCC handled 55 non-investigative complaints during this year’s 3rd Quarter. Year-to-date 2024, the OCC reviewed and rendered the following recommendations on 94 complaints: 24 not sustained, 24 exonerated, 13 sustained, 21 terminated due to non-cooperation, 12 administratively closed, and three pending reviews.
Senior Legal Analyst Karen Williams recently attended the 30th Annual National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) Conference in Tucson, Arizona. This was a 4.5-day training, with over 600 attendees. The 31st Annual NACOLE Conference will occur on October 26-30, 2025. Ms. Williams noted that 2025 will be the five-year anniversary of the passing of George Floyd.
10. Public Comments. There were no public comments.
11. Approval of Minutes. A motion was made by Commissioner Whittaker, with a second by Mayor Lucas, to approve the minutes of the open session Board meeting on October 29, 2024, and the minutes of the special budget meeting on October 9, 2024. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
12. Mayor Quinton Lucas. Mayor Lucas thanked the Department for the in-depth presentation on recruiting and retention. Mayor Lucas thanked the Department for their collaborative efforts, including relationships with newly elected officials.
Mayor Lucas congratulated Major Daniel Gates and Major David Jackson on their retirements. He extended get-well wishes to Retired Sergeant and Fraternal Order of Police President Brad Lemon.
13. Commissioner Tom Whittaker. Commissioner Whittaker also thanked the Department for the presentation on recruiting and retention. He agreed that it is important that members feel valued.
14. Commissioner Dawn Cramer. Commissioner Cramer echoed the comments made by Mayor Lucas and Commissioner Whittaker. She commended the Department for their hard work and collaboration with partners. Commissioner Cramer wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and safe holiday season.
15. Scheduled meetings. The Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri has scheduled the following meetings:
Disciplinary Hearing:
BOPC 24-05
THIS HEARING HAS BEEN CONTINUED FROM ITS CURRENT SETTING OF JANUARY 24, 2025, 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:
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 Mayor Lucas, and by vote indicated below, to go into closed session at 11:02 a.m., 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 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, November 19, 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:
Mayor Quinton Lucas - Aye
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, November 19, 2024:
The Board went into closed session at 11:30 a.m.
1) Following a motion by Mayor Lucas and a second by Commissioner Whittaker, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the closed Board meeting on October 29, 2024, and the Litigation Committee on November 7, 2024. The vote was 5-0 in favor. Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Romious voted Aye, Commissioner Elder voted Aye, and Mayor Lucas voted Aye.
2) Following a motion by Mayor Lucas and a second by Commissioner Whittaker, the Board voted to authorize certain settlement authority in the case of Keith Carnes v. BOPC, et al., in an amount not to exceed $___.[1] The vote was 5-0 in favor. Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Romious voted Aye, Commissioner Elder voted Aye, and Mayor Lucas voted Aye.
3) Following a motion by Mayor Lucas and a second by Commissioner Whittaker, at 12:40 p.m., the Board voted to go into special closed session to discuss certain litigation matters. The vote was 5-0 in favor. Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Romious voted Aye, Commissioner Elder voted Aye, and Mayor Lucas voted Aye.
4) Following a motion by Mayor Lucas and a second by Commissioner Whittaker, the Board voted to authorize certain settlement authority in the case of Chazmine English, et al. v. Eric DeValkenaere, et al., in an amount not to exceed $___.[2] The vote was 5-0 in favor. Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Romious voted Aye, Commissioner Elder voted Aye, and Mayor Lucas voted Aye.
5) Following a motion by Mayor Lucas and a second by Commissioner Whittaker, at 1:53 p.m., the Board voted to come out of special closed session and adjourn. The vote was 5-0 in favor. Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Romious voted Aye, Commissioner Elder voted Aye, and Mayor Lucas voted Aye.
The Board adjourned at 1:53 p.m.