October 22, 2019, Meeting

MINUTES OF THE

BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS MEETING

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019

 

A meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri was held on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust Street, Kansas City.

PRESENT:

Commissioner Nathan Garrett, President
Commissioner Don Wagner, Treasurer
Commissioner Mark Tolbert, Member
Mayor Quinton Lucas, Member
Mr. David V. Kenner, Secretary/Attorney
Richard C. Smith, Chief of Police

ABSENT:

Commissioner Leland M. Shurin, Vice-President

This meeting was called to order at 9:33 a.m. by Commissioner Garrett.  Manager Ed Brundage led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Chaplain Kevin Hardy provided the invocation.  Commissioner Shurin had an excused absence.

1. Awards and Commendations. The Meritorious Service Award was presented to Auxiliary Service Volunteer Ronal MacGregor.  In 2010, Mr. MacGregor retired from KU Medical Center as a Professor Emeritus in Anatomy and Cell Biology.  During his extensive career, he had earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Indiana University, and has led numerous research teams at the Kansas City VA Hospital and University of Kansas Medical Center.  After retirement, Mr. MacGregor began looking for a way to use his research background to benefit others and was put in contact with the Kansas City Crime Lab.  In 2013, he began volunteering his time and expertise to the Crime Lab in various lab operations.

        Mr. MacGregor has been involved in multiple research projects at the Lab in the past six years.  He has evaluated evidence packing materials, assessed chemicals for fingerprint development, assessed equipment for soil analysis and made a fake hand to help with processing latex gloves for fingerprints.  The most complex project he has been involved in was designing and constructing a fake head to study bloodstain patterns resulting from gunshots.  The completed design was a success, down to the details of a simulated skull with skin and brain which closely mimicked real tissues.

        The hundreds of hours Mr. MacGregor has given to the Crime Lab have not gone unnoticed by those he works with.  His time and research have allowed staff the time to devote to more casework.

        The Meritorious Service Award was presented to Sergeant Jason Cramblit.  For over six years, then-Detective Cramblit served the Narcotics and Vice Division in various elements until his recent promotion in January 2019.

        In September of 2012, Sergeant Cramblit was tasked with joining the newly formed Kansas City No Violence Alliance Unit (KC NoVA).  KC NoVA was created to approach violent crime in a new way.  While working with NoVA, Cramblit worked with violent crime units and the Illegal Firearms Squad on a daily basis.  This partnership led him to a position within the Illegal Firearms Squad in December 2013.

        The Illegal Firearms Squad is a multi-agency squad consisting of four ATF agents, four KCPD detectives, one Intel Analyst from the ATF and a supervisor from each agency.  Their main goal was to prevent gun crimes by investigating the sources of those who distribute guns to individuals who are prohibited from possessing a firearm.  They also assist the Homicide Unit with their investigation when a firearm is used in a crime.

        One of the numerous investigations Sergeant Cramblit was involved in was a Pleasant Valley officer who was shot in the face in December 2014.  Within hours of the shooting, Sergeant Cramblit secured vital details from a confidential informant he had cultivated a relationship with during his time in Illegal Firearms.  The informant provided the name of the suspects and probable location.  Sergeant Cramblit immediately began to organize a plan to conduct surveillance with the help of several nearby agencies.  They were able to quickly identify and locate the suspect, leading to their arrest and prosecution.

        Once again, Sergeant Cramblit’s work ethic and dedication opened up the opportunity to transfer to the Financial Investigations Section (FIS).  FIS was in a transition phase to refocus their efforts on investigating financial crimes with a narcotics or violent crime connection.  Cramblit’s history of working in Illegal Firearms with violent criminals was an invaluable asset to FIS.  His first self-initiated case in FIS was a drug trafficking organization that involved marijuana suppliers in Colorado shipping to Missouri.  Over 100 kilos of marijuana was shipped to the Kansas City metro for distribution and $1.7 million in illicit proceeds was sent back to Colorado using funnel accounts at area banks.  Cramblit was the lead detective and coordinated multiple local and out-of-state municipal, state and federal agencies, resulting in multiple federal indictments. 

        Sergeant Cramblit has spent his entire investigative career in the Narcotics and Vice Division, and his initiative to learn new skills and knowledge of social media, cell phone tracking and GPS tracking has led to the arrest of many violent criminals.  Working in FIS is demanding, but Sergeant Cramblit has a commitment which goes above and beyond in every case he is involved in. 

        The Meritorious Service Award was presented to Forensic Specialist Marisa Smith.  In December 2017, Forensic Specialist Marisa Smith was tasked with providing ways to improve the Crime Lab’s services.  She knew just what was needed, but had no idea the program would capture the heart and generosity of not only the people of Kansas City, but across the world.

        Smith recognized when she was sent to a sexual assault scene as a crime scene technician, she often would need to take the victim’s bed sheets to conduct an alternate light source examination for further evidence collection at the Crime Lab.  More times than not, these would be the only sheets the victim would have for the bed, only to further victimize those already suffering from sexual assault.

        Smith recognized the problem and knew she could make a difference for the victims in a very practical way, thus beginning her innovative project.  Smith knew she could buy a few sheets to keep on-hand at the Lab, but also realized it was not sustainable on her own.  In July 2018, she met with the Department’s victim advocate and social workers to get the word out for people in the community to bring in new bed sheets to any Department station.

        Word spread quickly of the project, and Public Relations Specialist Sarah Boyd of the Media Unit posted about the program on the Department’s Facebook page in September 2018.  She quickly realized people from Kansas City and beyond wanted to donate.  It was a commenter from Florida who suggested Smith create an Amazon Wish List for those not living in Kansas City to be able to donate.  Through the wish list, the supplies could be purchased from anywhere and delivered straight to the Crime Lab.  She even went through the steps to have the program certified as a 501(c)(3) entity, so donations would be tax-deductible.

        The post is still recirculating on Facebook over a year later.  It has nearly 100,000 reactions and 62,000 shares.  As a result, the storage in the Crime Lab for the sheets has reached capacity several times over.  Smith has been able to share sheets with other local agencies and takes referrals from the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) to take sheets to victims.  Smith has also shared with numerous departments how they can begin a sheet program of their own.  The response was not only overwhelming, it has created a way for the community and the Department to partner together to tangibly help victims.

        The Board took a recess at 9:44 a.m.  The meeting resumed at 9:59 a.m.

2. Chief of Police Richard C. Smith. Chief Richard Smith presented Board Resolution 19-03:  2020 Legislative Agenda for Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.  Resolution 19-03 states that the Board believes that it is in the best interest of the Department that certain Missouri Statutes be amended as follows:

• Section 544.170, R.S.Mo., to increase the allowed investigative hold time from 24 to 48 hours.
• Section 195.205, R.S.Mo., to more clearly define and limit immunity for possession of controlled substances when medical attention is required.
• Section 84.400, R.S.Mo., to allow for appointment of Department personnel to law enforcement relevant commissions and boards without compensation.
• Section 84.480, R.S.Mo., to raise the maximum allowable Chief of Police pay, and reinstate an appropriate separation between the top pay ranges for the Chief of Police and Deputy Chiefs.

        A motion was made by Commissioner Wagner, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to adopt Board Resolution 19-03.  The motion was 4-0 in favor. 

Chief Harry Dolan and Richard Johnson, Ph.D., from the Dolan Group, presented information gathered in a hiring & retention survey conducted on the Department.  The survey asked both sworn and civilian employees questions such as, “What attracted you to the Department?”,  “What’s keeping you on the Department?”, and “Why are you thinking about leaving the Department?”  A majority of employees answered that the Department’s benefits are what attracted them to the Department and what’s keeping them around.  Dr. Johnson advised that employees dissatisfaction rates and “thoughts of leaving” are significantly lower than other entities surveyed. 

3. Public Comments. Mr. Howard Brummett spoke about his previous encounters with the KCPD, and believes that policing has changed over the years.  He stated that he no longer feels a sense of security in his community due to the increase of crime.  He also expressed his concerns with the governance of the Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri.  Mr. Brummett advised that he put his name on the list in the Governor’s Office to become a Police Board member. 
   
   
4. Approval of minutes.  A motion was made by Commissioner Tolbert, with a second by Mayor Lucas, to approve the minutes of the open meeting on September 10, 2019.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.
   
   
5. Executive Services Bureau. Deputy Chief Mark Francisco presented the following items for Board approval:
   a.  Budget Transfers for Fiscal Year 2019-20. A memorandum dated October 9, 2019, was presented to recommend approval of budget transfers.  This budget transfer will affect the Police Grants Fund and the Grants Special Revenue Fund.

        A motion was made by Commissioner Tolbert, with a second by Commissioner Wagner, to approve the budget transfers as presented.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.
         b.  Proposed Department Fees – Fiscal Year 2019-2020. A memorandum dated October 10, 2019, was presented to recommend acceptance of the proposed fee schedule for Fiscal Year 2019-2020.

        A motion was made by Commissioner Tolbert, with a second by Mayor Lucas, to adopt the proposed fee schedule for Fiscal Year 2019-2020, as presented.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.
         c.  Bid No. 2017-2, Police Uniforms Renewal. A memorandum dated October 9, 2019, was presented to recommend approval for a one-year renewal of the Galls LLC. contract for police uniforms, at an anticipated expenditure of $440,979.50.  This is the third and final renewal of the contract.

        A motion was made by Commissioner Wagner, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to approve the one-year renewal of the Galls, LLC. contract for police uniforms, at an anticipated expenditure of $440,979.50.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.
         d.  2019 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program Award.

A memorandum dated October 4, 2019, was presented to recommend acceptance of the 2019 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program Award in the amount of $514,777.00.  The time period for the award is January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021, and the award is 100% federally funded.  In response to a question, this grant funds five forensic specialist positions at the Crime Lab.

        A motion was made by Commissioner Tolbert, with a second by Mayor Lucas, to approve the 2019 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program Award in the amount of $514,777.00.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.
         e.  Fiscal Year 2020-21 Request Budget. A memorandum dated October 10, 2019, was presented to recommend acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Requested Budget, which begins on May 1, 2020.  Deputy Chief Francisco advised that the 4.3% General Fund increase is due to raises and the increase of insurance and pension costs.  Chief Smith noted that the numbers of detention officers needed/requested for the upcoming budget year is going to depend on decisions made with the City regarding jail space.  In response to a question, Chief Smith advised that funding to employ six social workers and a coordinator has been included in the requested budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021.  In previous years, the social workers were contract employees, funded by the Hall Family Foundation.  Commissioner Tolbert requested to include programs and initiatives, such as the DARE Program and Youth Police Initiative, in the Department’s budget to assure that the funds are in place for these important programs.  For example, he suggested that the false alarm fees generated pay for these initiatives. 

        A motion was made by Commissioner Wagner, with a second by Mayor Lucas, to approve the requested budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.
         f.  Bid No. 2020-14, New 2020 Model Year Ford Police SUV’s. A memorandum dated October 7, 2019, was presented to recommend awarding Bid No. 2020-14 to Shawnee Mission Ford for the purchase of 31 Ford Police SUV’s at a total expenditure of $1,023,755.00.  Shawnee Mission Ford provided the lowest and best bid of $33,025.00/vehicle.  In response to a question, Deputy Chief Francisco advised the Department’s RFP process does not require MBE or WBE certified participants in bid processes.  Commissioner Tolbert believes the Department should consider revising the RFP processes to require MBE or WBE certified participants.  He also noted that he would like to see these large purchases being spent in Kansas City, Missouri, or at least the State of Missouri.  Deputy Chief Francisco advised that only one dealership in Kansas City, Missouri, participated in the process, and their price was $3,000/vehicle higher than Shawnee Mission Ford’s bid.     

        A motion was made by Commissioner Wagner, with a second by Mayor Lucas, to award Bid No. 2020-14 to Shawnee Mission Ford for the purchase of 31 Ford Police SUV’s at a total expenditure of $1,023,755.00.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.
         g.  2020 Model Year Dodge Charger Police Vehicles. A memorandum dated October 3, 2019, was presented to recommend approval to purchase 11 new 2020 model year Dodge Charger police pursuit vehicles from Landmark Dodge at a cost of $25,197.00/vehicle, for a total expenditure of $277,167.00.

        A motion was made by Commissioner Tolbert, with a second by Mayor Lucas, to approve the purchase of 11 new 2020 model year Dodge Charger vehicles at a total expenditure of $277,167.00.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.
         h.  ShotSpotter Service Agreement 2019-2020. A memorandum dated October 7, 2019, was presented to recommend approval for the renewal of the ShotSpotter Gunshot Detection System Annual Maintenance at a cost of $172,211.00.  The maintenance period is October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2020. 

        A motion was made by Commissioner Wagner, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to approve the renewal of the ShotSpotter Service Agreement at a cost of $172,211.00.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.
         i.  Renewal of RFP 2019-3, State Legislative Services. A memorandum dated October 14, 2019, was presented to recommend approval for the one-year renewal of the State Legislative Lobbying Services contract with Arnold and Associates at a cost of $51,000.00 for Legislative Services, and expenses not to exceed $7,500.00 over the term of this agreement, for a total cost not to exceed $58,500.00.  The contract period is November 1, 2019, through October 31, 2020.

        A motion was made by Commissioner Tolbert, with a second by Commissioner Wagner, to approve the one-year renewal contract for Legislative Services to Arnold and Associates, at a cost not to exceed $58,500.00.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.

        Deputy Chief Francisco provided an update on the Communications Unit.  He advised that the Communications Unit is currently staffed with 93 members, leaving 13 vacant positions.  The 911 hold time for the month of September 2019 was 21 seconds, compared to 22 seconds in September 2018.  There are currently four candidates in various stages of the hiring process.  The Department plans to increase recruitment efforts for the Communications Unit through job fairs and the Department’s Media Unit. 

6. Professional Development and Research Bureau. Deputy Chief Robert Kuehl presented the Academy Class Summary for October 2019.  He advised that the 168^th Entrant Officer Class began last week.  There are 33 KCPD recruits, one North Kansas City PD recruit, and three Lee’s Summit PD recruits in the 168^th Entrant Officer Class.  Deputy Chief Laningham advised that she will start providing the Board with exit surveys for members that resign from the Academy. 

Deputy Chief Kuehl presented the following consent agenda items for approval:

a.  Project #1134: Age Limits
b.  Project #1165: Suspension of Members
c.  Project #1213: Orders of Protection
d.  Project #1229: Training Requirements & Records
e.  Project #1225: Retirement, Death and Tenure Awards
f.  Project #1209: Continuity of Operations Plan

A motion was made by Mayor Lucas, with a second by Commissioner Tolbert, to approve the consent agenda items as presented.  The vote was 4-0.

7. Investigations Bureau. Deputy Chief Roger Lewis presented the Investigations Bureau report for September 2019.  He advised that to-date in 2019, there have been 122 homicides, compared to 110 at this time last year.  The number of case files at the Prosecutor’s Office has decreased to six; there are only two homicides since July 1, 2019, that have not been cleared, solved, or suspect(s) identified. 

There were 38 non-fatal shootings in September 2019, compared to 34 in September 2018.  To-date in 2019, there have been 412 living shooting victims identified, compared to 357 at this time last year.  At the end of 2018, there were 450 total non-fatal shooting victims; this year, Kansas City is on pace for 516 non-fatal shooting victims at the conclusion of 2019.  There have been 25 living shooting victims identified so far in October 2019.

 Deputy Chief Lewis advised there were 30 drive by shootings in September 2019.  Of the 30 drive by shootings in September, 101 victims were identified; seven of the victims sustained injuries.  There have been 332 drive by shootings year-to-date, compared to 335 at this time last year. There were 199 firearms recovered in September 2019.  There have been 1,816 firearms recovered Department-wide, year-to-date.

8. Administration Bureau. Deputy Chief Laningham presented the Regional Criminalistics Division monthly statistics for October 2019.  She advised that total Lab backlog continues to decrease.  Incoming DNA cases/requests continue to exceed the number of cases completed.  

Deputy Chief Laningham presented the Human Resources Personnel Summary dated October 3, 2019.  For this time period, Department strength is 1,330 sworn law enforcement and 559 career civilians.  There are 39 members attending the Academy.  She advised there will be a law enforcement testing session on October 26-27, 2019.  There are currently 135 applicants signed up to participate in the test, and walk-ins are welcome. 

Chief Smith stated that the Human Resources Division has done a tremendous job reducing the time length of the hiring process.  Deputy Chief Laningham advised that she, along with Major Karen True, spoke to a class of criminal justice students at Northwest Missouri State University last week.  They recruited three individuals from NWMSU that are interested in applying to KCPD.  She also added that she had made a connection with a worker at her local Hy-vee store; he will begin as a Parking Control Officer next week. 

9. Patrol Bureau. Deputy Chief Karl Oakman spoke about various community events that occurred over the last month throughout the Patrol Divisions.  He advised that there was a technology error when reporting the Monthly Crime Statistics for August 2019.  The error should be fixed prior to next month’s Board meeting. Response times across the City are steady compared to the statistics from 2018.   

Deputy Chief Oakman presented the Traffic Summary for the month of September 2019.  There were 14,509 citations issued Department-wide in September 2019.  The average number of citations issued per traffic stop in the month of August, by members of the Traffic Enforcement Unit, was 1.48.  Interstate 435 at Holmes Road continues to be the City’s highest crash location.  Total City-wide crashes to-date 2019 total 16,306 compared to 17,138 at this time last year.  The Department’s Parking Control Section issued 5,336 citations in September 2019, and 47,893 to-date 2019.  There have been 54 fatality motor vehicle accidents in to-date 2019, compared to 64 at this time last year; 76 percent of fatality crashes are males, and in 53 percent of the fatality crashes, there was no seatbelt used.   

10. Audit Committee. Commissioner Wagner provided an update on the Training Unit audit.  Commissioner Wagner advised that Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) requires 600 hours of basic recruit training and practical application.  KCPD recruits receive approximately 900 hours of instruction and application, and an additional 153 hours on non-POST instruction over 30 weeks.  There are two recruit classes going on at all times.  Instructors at the Academy train recruits and officers from other agencies, along with Private Officer Licensing firearms training.  The Academy outsources 24 percent of its training courses.  The audit found that Academy personnel overtime increased 122 percent from 2017 to 2018, mainly due to switching from four 10-hour days to five 8-hour days.  The Audit Committee recommends that overtime at the Academy be managed more effectively. 

        Commissioner Wagner also provided an update on the Narcotics and Vice Division’s Metro Meth Squad audit.  The Metro Meth Squad is staffed with six members: one sergeant, three detectives, and two forensic specialists.  Two to three members work on federal crimes on an FBI task force.  The Squad consistently writes 450-500 reports annually.  The number of investigations conducted by the Squad is limited by the number of staff available.  The Audit Committee recommends that staffing levels remain the same for the basic investigations and no workload change. 

11. Mayor Quinton Lucas. Mayor Lucas advised that he has a meeting with Governor Parson later today to discuss violent crime issues in the City and State.  Topics for the meeting include drug use, drug trafficking, weapons and mental health.
    
    
12. Secretary/Attorney David Kenner. Mr. Kenner advised that he will be sending out a list of dates for the 2020 regular session meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners to each member to check their availability. 
    
    
13. Scheduled meetings.

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

Board Hearing:

In Re:  The Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings of:
P.O. Tamara Solomon #5208
December 3, 2019, 9:00 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City

Regular Meetings:

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 Commissioner Tolbert, with a second by Commissioner Wagner, and by vote indicated below, to adjourn its open meeting at 12:09 p.m. and reconvene in closed session 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 16, 2019, 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, October 22, 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 Don Wagner                       -       Aye
        Commissioner Mark Tolbert                      -       Aye
        Mayor Quinton Lucas                                    -       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 October 22, 2019:

The Board went into closed session at 12:22 p.m.  Commissioner Shurin had an excused absence.

1)      Following a motion by Mayor Lucas and a second by Commissioner Tolbert, the Board voted to approve the applications for continued employment of Reserve Police Officer Lance Stabler and Police Officer Joe Smith.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  Following polling, Mayor Lucas voted Aye, Commissioner Garrett voted Aye, Commissioner Tolbert voted Aye, and Commissioner Wagner voted Aye.

2)      Following a motion by Mayor Lucas and a second by Commissioner Tolbert, the Board voted to approve the Non-Duty Related Disability Retirement of xxxx [Name redacted for privacy and confidentiality reasons].  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  Following polling, Mayor Lucas voted Aye, Commissioner Garrett voted Aye, Commissioner Tolbert voted Aye, and Commissioner Wagner voted Aye.

3)      Following a motion by Mayor Lucas and a second by Commissioner Tolbert, the Board voted to approve the Duty Related Disability Retirement of xxxx [Name redacted for privacy and confidentiality reasons].  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  Following polling, Mayor Lucas voted Aye, Commissioner Garrett voted Aye, Commissioner Tolbert voted Aye, and Commissioner Wagner voted Aye.

4)      Following a motion by Mayor Lucas and a second by Commissioner Tolbert, the Board voted to approve the Duty Related Disability Retirement of xxxx [Name redacted for privacy and confidentiality reasons].  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  Following polling, Mayor Lucas voted Aye, Commissioner Garrett voted Aye, Commissioner Tolbert voted Aye, and Commissioner Wagner voted Aye.

5)      Following a motion by Commissioner Tolbert and a second by Mayor Lucas, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the closed session of the Board of Police Commissioners on September 10, 2019.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  Following polling, Mayor Lucas voted Aye, Commissioner Garrett voted Aye, Commissioner Tolbert voted Aye, and Commissioner Wagner voted Aye.

6)      Following a motion by Mayor Lucas and a second by Commissioner Tolbert, the Board voted to come out of closed session and adjourn.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  Following polling, Mayor Lucas voted Aye, Commissioner Garrett voted Aye, Commissioner Tolbert voted Aye, and Commissioner Wagner voted Aye.

The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.               

 

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President

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Secretary/Attorney

Board of Police Commissioners Minutes