Take a look at a top story tonight that should worry not only police but also neighborhood and community volunteers . . .
KMBC: Kansas City has the only police department in the country that’s controlled by the state and not the city. Missouri took control of the department during a reform movement in the 1930s and ‘40s.
A request for a statewide vote on the issue of local police control was filed in Jefferson City last week. If it moves forward, voters across Missouri could decide on the matter in 2018.
Statewide control would mean that citizens, through the Kansas City Council and the mayor, would have more direct control over the police than they do now. While the police are asking the city for more than $217 million for the upcoming budget year, the department doesn’t technically answer to City Hall.
And so we throw the question to our TKC Blog Community this evening . . .
SHOULD CITY HALL TAKEOVER CONTROL OF THE KCPD???
A few years ago this topic was hotly debated and ultimately reject thanks to overwhelming opposition from Kansas City Police rank & file. However, this time around it looks like Conservatives are backing the effort and they won't face as much opposition from their GOP buddies.
Something to consider . . . While this debate has a great many implications for public safety and community outreach . . . Let's not forget that the result of a City Hall KCPD takeover would also PUT POLICE PENSIONS INTO 12TH & OAK DIRECT CONTROL - A frightening concept that probably sends a shiver down the spine of even the most streetwise Kansas City cop.
Finally . . . The topic of political influence used against police never merits much discussion among far too polite mainstream media but the fact is that KCPD was taken over by the state when Missouri politicos determined that rampant Kansas City corruption threatened the governance of police and, like it or not, it's hard to argue that very much has changed in Kansas City on that front.
Developing . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment