KC police chief says changes coming to ‘set a different tone’ in handling protests
With some adjustments being made by police during protests this week and a “Unity March” coming up, Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith said law enforcement hope to “set a different tone in this city.”
As protests against police brutality continued for the fifth day in Kansas City, Smith said officers have started modifying their response. He told reporters police were “trying to de-escalate things as best as possible about even deployment and when we’re deploying and who is deploying when.”
Smith said he felt things became tense early on Monday and hopes peaceful protests continue. Night after night, Smith said, police have been “digging the same hole.”
Smith said they haven’t had much downtime day by day, but they have had some time to review their practices. “We aren’t perfect. I know that 100%,” Smith said.
In addition, the police department said a “Unity March,” organized in conjunction with The Justice Center, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the front lawn of the Nelson Atkins Museum.
As Tuesday’s protests continued in the afternoon, Smith said he felt that things were less tense compared to previous nights when emotions ran high.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas earlier stated in a Twitter post that no curfew order would be issued Tuesday night and added he planned to share some changes later in night that “will help accountability and safety for [community], protesters and police.”
One change, Lucas added, is that police officers would not be lining up around Mill Creek Park, and that current instructions were “to respond only when needed.” As of Tuesday afternoon, police vehicles and tape were in the area but officers were not standing in a line as previously observed.
About 100 people returned to the Plaza Tuesday afternoon to have their voices heard, protesting police brutality and the death of George Floyd.
Since Friday night, hundreds have gathered in Kansas City at Mill Creek Park near the Plaza in honor of black Americans who have died at the hands of law enforcement and to call for changes within the police department. The protests have been largely peaceful, but at times grew tense.
Pepper spray and tear gas have been used to disperse crowds at times. Police said some have thrown items — like rocks and water bottles — at officers. Some businesses in the Plaza have been damaged or vandalized. The Plaza remained closed Tuesday.
Lucas was among a few hundred people to join in on the protest and march on Monday night.
Some marched and chanted alongside Lucas, who listened to protesters calling for body cameras and more training for police. At one point, Lucas kneeled with them alongside Police Chief Rick Smith and held a moment of silence for Floyd.
Later in the night, officers declared the protest at the Plaza an unlawful assembly. Protesters scattered as an explosion of smoke broke out on the streets for the third night in a row in the city.
Police arrested more than 20 people by the end of the day Monday. Some who had been detained were found with rocks and urine-soaked items, Sgt. Jacob Becchina, a Kansas City police spokesman, told reporters. Kansas City police later tweeted that protesters threw objects including bottles, a shoe and a can of black beans at officers Monday.
This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 6:08 PM.
