KC police officers renting trailers to dodge residency rules — who thought that was OK?

News that some Kansas City police officers try to skirt the department’s residency requirement should shock every taxpayer.

The stunning claim came Tuesday — not from a critic of the department, or a politician, but from Brad Lemon, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, who testified before the Board of Police Commissioners.

“People are renting trailers in locations in the city,” Lemon said, “just so they can spend two or three nights in Kansas City and go out where their families are.”

Lemon didn’t respond to an emailed request to clarify the claim Wednesday, or explain how many Kansas City Police Department employees might be involved in trying to duck the residency rules.

A department spokesman said in an email that “commanders would investigate any deviations from policy when we are aware” and declined further comment.

But police board member Cathy Dean, who showed refreshing independence while questioning Lemon, suggested any officer living in a trailer and violating the residency requirement should be terminated. She’s right.

City government employees must live in Kansas City. Police officers have a special duty to respect the rules since their job is to enforce the laws the rest of us must follow.

Lemon doesn’t seem to understand this. “Because I wear a uniform, because I choose to serve this city, I’m somehow less of a person,” he complained Tuesday.

Lemon or any of his colleagues could choose to work elsewhere if they consider Kansas City’s residency requirement too onerous.

But officers who do want to work in Kansas City must meet several requirements — related to age, education, fitness, as well as residency. Those standards are in place to make the police department better.

Standards and rules don’t make an officer “less of a person.” They come with the job. Kansas Citians have a right to expect police officers to be qualified, fit and residents of the city where they work.

By pushing for an end to the residency rule that other city workers must follow, Lemon and his colleagues are seeking special treatment. There is no reason for such an exemption.

Commissioner Dean deserves credit for publicly acknowledging this. Police Chief Rick Smith also supports the residency rule, as does Mayor Quinton Lucas and most of the City Council.

Lemon complained about waivers granted to some city workers and officers to avoid the residency rule. If those waivers have been granted improperly or excessively, he should provide that information to city and police administrators.

We have vigorously supported the residency rule for Kansas City workers. And the Missouri legislature’s interest in pre-empting this local decision in favor of another inappropriate mandate is deeply concerning.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s involvement in this issue, which apparently started in St. Louis, is also disappointing. Schmitt should spend more time on his actual job instead of butting into what should be a local decision.

Kansas City’s police officers should live in Kansas City. It’s that simple. Legislators, politicians, and officers should support that basic requirement.

This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "KC police officers renting trailers to dodge residency rules — who thought that was OK?."