Reform policies approved

The Kansas City Missouri Board of Police Commissioners approved two policies today implementing requested police reforms.

The Internally Recorded Digital Media Records Policy encompasses the department’s new body-worn cameras, as well as in-car cameras and interrogation videos. The First Amendment Protected Activities Policy establishes guidelines and procedures for department members when engaging with individuals participating in First Amendment-protected activities.

The department did extensive legal research and looked into best practices nationwide to draft the policies. Members met with community stakeholders, city leaders, prosecutors and others to create the policies that address community concerns.

The Internally Recorded Digital Media Records Policy requires officers to have body-worn cameras on during every contact with the public. Non-evidentiary video will be retained for 180 days. 

The First Amendment Protected Activities Policy outlines officers’ actions when engaging with individuals who are participating in First Amendment-protected activities.

“I commend you for continuing to do the work on this,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas, who also serves on the Board of Police Commissioners.

Mayor Lucas praised the Department for collaborating with city leaders and stakeholders to improve the policy.

The First Amendment Policy explicitly prohibits officers from using less-lethal weapons and munitions (other than chemical agents) to disperse crowds in the event of an unlawful assembly. It also states, “Members will make all reasonable efforts to allow law-abiding individuals to continue to exercise their First Amendment protected rights, and will focus efforts on those individuals in the active assembly who violate the law.”