Amid protests, Kansas City mayor asks for federal money to get police body cameras
Amid the fifth day of protests in Kansas City, Mayor Quinton Lucas’ staff on Tuesday spoke with the staff of U.S. senators in an effort to get federal funding for police body-worn cameras.
At a news conference during which he also addressed use of force concerns, Lucas said the city was in contact with the offices of U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley of Missouri to get federal grants to procure “some number of body cams.”
Why might the city ask for federal funding?
“I’ll be very honest, our budget is strained right now,” Lucas told reporters. “I’m not lying, we’re kind of broke.”
Numerous groups have called on Kansas City police to equip its officers with body cameras, including recent protesters who have converged near the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain on the Country Club Plaza. Lucas said his office agreed “it’s time to get this done.”
In 2018, police took a step toward equipping officers with body-worn cameras when it began accepting bids to buy them. No action has been taken since then as police officials have grappled with video privacy and storage issues.
Civil rights groups have repeatedly demanded officers wear body cameras in the aftermath of recent officer-involved shootings. Police have said they support the idea because it would increase officer safety and improve accountability.
Lucas also noted videos on social media have shown what protesters have described as excessive force. The mayor said he spoke Tuesday with the FBI agent in charge in the region who is willing to review any allegations of misconduct.
“What we’re saying is we’re establishing a process for any incidents in which the public has significant concerns for those to be reviewed by an independent source,” he said.
In one such viral video, which has been viewed on Twitter 3.8 million times, a Kansas City officer pepper sprayed a protester in the face. The protester was then arrested after yelling at police and accusing them of overreacting with aggressive force.
Jackson County prosecutors are reviewing at least one video of a protester being pepper sprayed by police.
“I have no problem with turning over everything we need,” Police Chief Rick Smith said.
Lucas has talked a “great deal with” Smith about the demonstrations. He noted anyone with concerns about incidents with police can also file complaints with the Board of Police Commissioners.
The mayor said he would ask to convene a special meeting with the police board, which he serves on, to discuss the protests and the police department’s use of force policy. It would also give the board “a chance to look at our relationships with the community, our relationships in particular with the black community and ways that we can improve,” he said.
In a post on Twitter, the police department said people could also contact the Office of Community Complaints.
Asked about a complaint that a protester was hit in the eye with a projectile fired by police, Smith called it horrible. He said no one intended for that to happen, noting the incident would be reviewed.
“It’s tragic,” he said. “I’ve never said we’re perfect.”
In other cities, concerns from protesters have been quelled by an officer serving as a liaison to protesters, Lucas said. He has spoken with Smith, who is willing to appoint an officer to a similar position.
Lucas spoke to reporters as demonstrators gathered on the Plaza to protest the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, police brutality and other issues.
More than 170 people have been arrested during the protests in Kansas City. At times, officers have clashed with demonstrators and used pepper spray and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 7:04 PM.
