Nixon names KC lawyer to police board

Gov. Jay Nixon has appointed Kansas City lawyer Leland Shurin to the Board of Commissioners of the Kansas City Police Department. Shurin is a well-known area lawyer and Democrat.

Shurin fills a post that’s been vacant for more than a year. The terms of two other members of the current board — Alvin Brooks and Angela Wasson-Hunt — have expired, but they have not been replaced. The term of the fourth appointed member, Michael Rader, expires in 2017.

Mayor Sly James is automatically a member of the board, which oversees department policy and spending. Shurin’s appointment needs approval from the state Senate.