October 29, 2024 Meeting
MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2024
A meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri was held on Tuesday, October 29, 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 9:30 a.m. by Commissioner Cramer. Mr. Kenner attended the meeting via WebEx video conference.
Chief Graves presented Dispatcher Carrie Stephenson with a Chief’s Coin. On the morning of October 16, 2024, a motorcycle officer was critically injured in a crash, leaving him lying on the ground in need of assistance. Dispatcher Stevenson was on the air, and with great skill and composure, she brought the officer life-saving aid, directing officers and emergency care to him. Stephenson has honorably served in the Department’s Communications Unit for over 33 years. After the coin presentation, Dispatcher Stephenson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chaplain Jeremy Eubanks provided the invocation.
1. Guest Presentations. Mr. Dean Hart, TUSA Consulting Services, presented the Regional Emergency Communications Strategic Feasibility Study for Jackson County, Missouri. The TUSA team worked with the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), to obtain 911 call metrics. These metrics were used to analyze the Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and provide a basis for comparison against applicable industry performance standards.
Mr. Hart advised that the study found that KCPD’s Communications Unit is understaffed and the hold time is over the national standard. In 2023, the Communications Unit received 1,086,050 calls (584,947 emergency calls and 501,103 non-emergency calls). During the First Quarter of 2024 (January-April), the Communications Unit received 324,833 calls (177,647 emergency calls and 147,186 non-emergency calls).
Mr. Hart discussed ways to free up call takers, so that they are able to solely handle 911 emergency calls. He recommended enhancing the City’s 311 line to handle non-emergency calls. He also discussed the potential opportunity to join other Jackson County agencies to assist with answering calls.
Chief Graves stated that the root problem is staffing, and the Department continues to recruit candidates for these open positions. The Department is now up to 32 call takers and 36 dispatchers.
Mr. Tye Grant, President of the Police Foundation of Kansas City, Missouri, spoke about the 2025 A Call for BackUp event. The fundraiser will take place on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the Muehlebach Hotel. He advised that this year’s donations will be used to fund police services and equipment during large significant events in the City, such as the World Cup coming in 2026. The Board thanked Mr. Grant and the Police Foundation for their continued support of the Department.
2. General Discussion from the Chief of Police. Chief Stacey Graves advised that the Department continues to recruit for open positions. She advised that the Communications Unit has recently enhanced their hiring and training processes, and are already benefiting from those changes. The Department is also including law enforcement officers for overtime as call takers and dispatchers, as well as from other agencies for off duty work, and is increasing pay in this fiscal year. Additionally, all current professional staff members will receive a $2,500 retention incentive.
Chief Graves commended the members of the Department as they’ve shown extreme resiliency, especially during the past month. Chief Graves advised that since the last Board meeting, officers have been shot at, the Department lost one active officer, and one officer was involved in a critical motorcycle accident on-duty.
3. Investigations Bureau. Deputy Chief Doug Niemeier advised that the Regional Training Academy held a Detective School during September. There were 102 attendees from 23 different agencies. Deputy Chief Niemeier thanked Sergeant Mark Slater and outside partners for organizing this training, since it had been several years since the last session.
Deputy Chief Niemeier provided an update on crime statistics. He advised that to-date in 2024, there have been a total of 127 homicides, compared to 155 homicides during the same time period in 2023. The Department has cleared 67 homicides this year, plus an additional 20 homicides from previous years, totaling 87 solved homicides. The Department’s clearance rate is 69 percent.
Deputy Chief Niemeier advised that there were 13 homicides that occurred in September 2024. Three of the September homicides occurred within the Central Patrol Division, four within the Metro Patrol Division, four within the East Patrol Division, one within the Shoal Creek Patrol Division, and one within the South Patrol Division.
Deputy Chief Niemeier advised that as of October 24, 2024, there have been 503 non-fatal shootings this year, compared to 430 at this same time period in 2023. In September 2024, there were 61 non-fatal shootings, compared to 41 non-fatal shootings in September 2023.
Deputy Chief Niemeier spoke about cases submitted for prosecution. In September 2024, there were 319 cases submitted for prosecution; there were 247 cases submitted to Jackson County, 29 to Clay County, and 43 to Platte County. Additionally, there have been 113 federal firearms cases submitted this year.
Deputy Chief Niemeier provided an update on recent property crimes. He advised that in January 2024, the Miami Dolphins equipment trailer was stolen downtown following a football game versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Property Crimes detectives located the trailer and recovered 90 percent of the stolen property, and a suspect was charged. Additionally, detectives identified two prolific burglary suspects and recovered 86 stolen firearms in their vehicle. The ATF will be taking over that investigation. Deputy Chief Niemeier also advised that with the assistance of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, detectives were able to arrest a 78-year-old man that recently burglarized Betty Rae’s Ice Cream shop.
Deputy Chief Niemeier provided an update on recent violent crimes. He advised that a suspect is in custody and being held on a $1 million bond, in connection with a recent homicide in the Northland. He advised that this case has led to additional cases, including overdoses. Internet Crimes Against Children detectives identified a suspect in two cases that traced back to California. This suspect has been charged in U.S. District Court. Robbery detectives identified a suspect involved in a series of armed business robberies in the Kansas City Metro area. With the assistance of other agencies, this person was a subject of interest in 15 different armed robberies. Deputy Chief Niemeier also spoke about the violent shooting of a local Z-Trip driver. He commended the work done by detectives and analysts on all of these cases.
4. Patrol Bureau. Deputy Chief Joseph Mabin spoke of the notable events within the Patrol Bureau in September 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 September was 8 minutes and 56 seconds; 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 September was 12 minutes and four 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 patrol officers have now been on the 11-hour shift plan for several months. Response times and feedback are currently being reviewed to make improvements.
Deputy Chief Mabin advised that there have been 13,157 city-wide crashes year-to-date. During this time period in 2023, there were 14,133 city-wide crashes. There were 1,476 city-wide crashes in September 2024, compared to 1,696 city-wide crashes in September 2023.
Deputy Chief Mabin advised that year-to-date, there have been 63 fatality crashes with 671 victims. During the same time period in 2023, there were 66 fatality crashes with 72 victims. There were seven fatal crashes in the month of September 2024, and one late death from a crash in July 2024.
Members of the Traffic Division held nine DUI wolfpack enforcement operations in September, which resulted in 163 stops, 45 DUI arrests, and 170 total citations issued. Additionally, there were another 96 DUI arrests made by patrol divisions during the month of September.
Members of the Traffic Division held side show and street racing enforcement operations during the month of September. These activities resulted in 34 stops, 35 spectator citations issued, 22 other citations issued, two arrests, six towed vehicles, recovery of one stolen auto and four stolen guns, and multiple stop stick deployments.
5. Administration Bureau. Deputy Chief Luis Ortiz provided an update on Department staffing. He advised that as of September 30, 2024, Department strength was 1,670. For this time period, there were 1,108 sworn law enforcement personnel, 32 recruits, 525 professional staff, and five Board members; there were 202 total vacancies.
Deputy Chief Ortiz advised that there are currently 27 in the process for possibility eligibility in the next Academy class. Additionally, there are 28 pending job offers. The Department is currently processing 11 lateral transfers and re-hires.
Deputy Chief Ortiz advised that the Department hired one new member in the Communications Unit this month. He noted that there are ten additional people in the process for possible eligibility.
The Department will hold law enforcement testing on November 14, 2024, and December 11, 2024, at the Regional Police Academy. The Department continues to hire for all positions. More information can be found at https://www.kcpd.org/careers/.
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 October 17, 2024, was presented recommending approval of budget transfers. This transfer will affect the Byrne JAG Grant Fund, the Police Grants Fund, and the Grants Special Revenue Fund.
A motion was made by Commissioner Whittaker, with a second by Commissioner Romious, to approve the budget transfers as presented. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
b. Replacement of ALPR Cameras, Servers, Routers, and Fluke Network Cable Tester. A memorandum dated October 15, 2024, was presented to recommend approval to purchase automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, servers, routers, and fluke network cable, utilizing MARC Contract #93 (Electronic Technology Inc.) and Omnia Partners Contract #226017-02 (Turn-Key Mobile, Inc.), at a total cost of $410,432.96.
A motion was made by Commissioner Romious, with a second by Commissioner Elder, to approve the purchase of ALPR cameras and equipment, at a total cost of $410,432.96. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
Mayor Lucas asked if technology allowed regular cameras to serve the dual purpose of ALPRs, since such a large number of the Department’s ALPRs need to be replaced.
c. Bid #2024-0010, New 2025 Model Year Dodge Durango Police Pursuit Vehicles. A memorandum dated October 11, 2024, was presented to recommend approval to purchase thirty-five (35) new 2025 model year Dodge Durango police pursuit vehicles from Landmark Dodge, at a cost of $46,074.00 per vehicle, for a total expenditure of $1,612,590.00.
In response to a question, Deputy Chief McCollum advised the price of the vehicle is in line with market value.
A motion was made by Commissioner Whittaker, with a second by Commissioner Elder, to approve the purchase of thirty-five (35) Dodge Durango pursuit vehicles from Landmark Dodge, at a total expenditure of $1,612,590.00. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
d. Fiscal Year 2024 Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program Award. A memorandum dated October 16, 2024, was presented to recommend acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2024 Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program Award from the Office of Justice, in the amount of $595,386.00. The award period is 100% federally funded, and is the 23rd year of funding. The award period runs from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2026, and will provide salary and benefits for six forensic specialists.
A motion was made by Commissioner Romious, with a second by Commissioner Whittaker, to accept the Fiscal Year 2024 Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program Award, in the amount of $595,386.00. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
e. KC Violent Crime Reduction Subaward. A memorandum dated October 17, 2024, was presented to recommend acceptance of the KC Violent Crime Reduction Subaward. The state-funded amount of the subaward is $1,000,000, and requires a $1,000,000 local match. The local match will be met through projects funded by the Police Foundation of Kansas City. The award period runs from July 1, 2024, through May 31, 2025.
A motion was made by Commissioner Elder, with a second by Commissioner Romious, to accept the KC Violent Crime Reduction Subaward in the amount of $1,000,000.00. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
f. Fiscal Year 2024 Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants Program Subaward. A memorandum dated October 16, 2024, was presented to recommend acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2024 Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants Program subaward, in the amount of $457,425.00. The award period runs from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026, and it is 100% federally funded. This funding will be utilizing to expand the Department’s ALPR program. This is the first year of funding.
A motion was made by Commissioner Romious, with a second by Commissioner Elder, to accept the Fiscal Year 2024 Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants Program subaward, in the amount of $457,425.00. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
7. Chief’s Office Executive Officer. Deputy Chief Steve Young presented the following consent agenda items:
a. Project 1445: Drug Abuse Testing
b. Project 1477: Line of Duty Death and Disability Benefits
c. Project 1485: Death Investigations
A motion was made by Commissioner Whittaker, with a second by Commissioner Elder, to approve Projects 1445, 1477, and 1485, 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.
The Board has additional questions regarding Mr. Shroyer’s appeal, so they agreed to postpone this matter until the November 19, 2024, meeting.
b. Private Officer License Appeal: Michael C. Ramirez. A memorandum dated September 12, 2024, was presented recommending denial of the unarmed private security license of Michael C. Ramirez. On June 21, 2021, Ramirez fired a handgun in a park in Topeka, Kansas nine times. On April 22, 2022, Ramirez pleaded guilty in Shawnee County District Court to discharge of firearm within city limits, a non-person misdemeanor. On August 27, 2024, Ramirez applied for an unarmed private security license. The application asked him to list all arrests and convictions within the last five years, Ramirez wrote “N/A” and did not disclose the arrest and conviction in Shawnee County three years earlier. The POLU denied Ramirez’s application pursuant to 17 CSR 10-2.050(3)(G), which states an applicant must be of good moral character by having no convictions which have as an essential element an act of violence, and 17 CSR 10-2.050(3)(L) which states an application may be denied for “failing to provide information deemed necessary in order to establish eligibility.” On September 4, 2024, Ramirez appealed the denial of his application.
A motion was made by Mayor Lucas, with a second by Commissioner Elder, to uphold the decision of the Private Officer Licensing Unit to deny the unarmed private security license of Michael C. Ramirez. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
c. Private Officer License Appeal: Omari K. Tatum. A memorandum dated October 11, 2024, was presented recommending denial of the unarmed private security license of Omari K. Tatum. On August 20, 2024, Tatum was dismissed from the Kansas City, Missouri Police Firearms Range after several incidents of concerning behavior, including flagging other shooters with his weapon, being belligerent to range instructors, and exhibiting a strong smell of marijuana on his person. On September 11, 2024, the POLU denied Tatum’s application for a private security license pursuant to 17 CSR 10-2.050(3)(N), which states an applicant must not provide “other facts or actions which demonstrate that the applicant is unsuitable or ineligible for license.” On October 3, 2024, Tatum appealed the denial of his application.
A motion was made by Commissioner Romious, with a second by Mayor Lucas, to uphold the decision of the Private Officer Licensing Unit to deny the unarmed private security license of Omari K. Tatum. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
9. Public Comments. Estelle Lewis, member of the Holmes Garden Neighborhood Organization, spoke about the increased violence within the community. She expressed her frustration with the process and invited the Department to visit with members of the organization and work towards a solution.
Rachel Thomas with KC LEAP spoke about officer-involved shootings in Kansas City. She called for the immediate termination of Officer Blayne Newton, and alleges that Officer Newton has a racial bias and continuously uses excessive force.
Howard Lotven expressed concern with the recent City Ordinance regarding red light traffic cameras. He advised that red light cameras are unconstitutional. He advised that this will take approximately two to four officers off the street in order to review footage.
Maurisa Banks spoke about the increased property crime in her neighborhood in the Crossroads Art District. She understands that staffing is a concern for the Department, but demanded that the juveniles be held accountable.
10. Approval of Minutes. A motion was made by Commissioner Romious, with a second by Mayor Lucas, to approve the minutes of the open session Board meeting on September 10, 2024, and the minutes of the special budget meeting on October 9, 2024. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
11. Mr. David Kenner. Mr. Kenner advised that the Department’s Lobbyist Agreement with Arnold & Associates is reaching the end of its term. Mr. Arnold has agreed to renew his agreement for one additional year at the same cost. The Board remains satisfied with Mr. Arnold’s services.
A motion was made by Commissioner Whittaker, with a second by Commissioner Elder, to approve the one-year renewal agreement with Arnold & Associates for lobbyist services. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
12. Mayor Quinton Lucas. Mayor Lucas encouraged the Department to continue recruiting for open positions, but to also explore technology that will improve efficiencies. He thanked Mr. Hart and command staff for the thorough conversation regarding 911.
13. Commissioner Madeline Romious. Commissioner Romious thanked the public commenters for attending the meeting and providing comment. She stated that while the Board may not provide an immediate response to each commenter, the Board is listening and hears the concerns.
14. Scheduled meetings. The Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri has scheduled the following meetings:
Disciplinary Hearing:
BOPC 24-05
January 24, 2025, 9:00 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
*Disciplinary Hearings are closed under Section 590.502(6) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri.
Regular Meetings:
November 19, 2024, 9:30 a.m., at KCPD Headquarters, Community Room, 1125 Locust, Kansas City.
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 Mayor Lucas, with a second by Commissioner Whittaker, and by vote indicated below, to go into closed session at 11:53 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, October 29, 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, October 29, 2024:
The Board went into closed session at 12:01 p.m. Mr. Kenner attended the meeting via WebEx video conference.
Commissioner Romious left the meeting at 12:25 p.m.
1) Following a motion by Commissioner Whittaker and a second by Mayor Lucas, the Board voted to authorize the expenditure of an additional $100,000 for legal fees in connection with the case styled Mary Botts v. BOPC, the expenditure of an additional $150,000 for legal fees in connection with the case styled Anne Dumit v. BOPC, the expenditure of an additional $135,000 for legal fees in connection with the case styled Zachary Storms v. BOPC, and the expenditure of an additional $115,000 for legal fees in connection with the case styled Arthur Willingham v. BOPC. The vote was 4-0 in favor. Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Elder voted Aye, and Mayor Lucas voted Aye.
2) Following a motion by Commissioner Whittaker and a second by Mayor Lucas, the Board voted to approve the application for continued employment of Reserve Sergeant Jeffrey Duer. The vote was 4-0 in favor. Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Elder voted Aye, and Mayor Lucas voted Aye.
3) Following a motion by Commissioner Whittaker and a second by Mayor Lucas, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the closed session Board meeting on September 10, 2024, and the minutes of the special closed session Board meeting on October 9, 2024. The vote was 4-0 in favor. Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Elder voted Aye, and Mayor Lucas voted Aye.
4) Following a motion by Mayor Lucas and a second by Commissioner Whittaker, at 1:12 p.m., the Board voted to go into special closed session to discuss personnel matters. The vote was 4-0 in favor. Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Elder voted Aye, and Mayor Lucas voted Aye.
5) Following a motion by Mayor Lucas and a second by Commissioner Whittaker, the Board voted to authorize certain settlement authority in the claim of _______[1], in an amount not to exceed $______.[2] The vote was 4-0 in favor. Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Elder voted Aye, and Mayor Lucas voted Aye.
6) Following a motion by Commissioner Whittaker and a second by Mayor Lucas, at 1:38 p.m., the Board voted to come out of special closed session and adjourn. The vote was 4-0 in favor. Following polling, Commissioner Cramer voted Aye, Commissioner Whittaker voted Aye, Commissioner Elder voted Aye, and Mayor Lucas voted Aye.
The Board adjourned at 1:38 p.m.