Will George Floyd’s death spur police reform? Here are the changes KCPD should make

The tragic killing of George Floyd has focused America’s attention on the urgent need for rapid, fundamental law enforcement reform.

Kansas City is no exception. Thousands of protesters spilled into the streets over the weekend, demanding changes in the relationship between the police and public.

Some of those demonstrations turned unacceptably violent. All Kansas Citians reject needless vandalism and theft, and physical attacks on police. Violence is wrong, and an unnecessary distraction.

At the same time, this is not a business-as-usual moment. Kansas City must use the legitimate outrage of its citizens as a catalyst for significant changes to its police department. A better, more trustworthy department will protect the rights of all who live here.

The time for enacting reforms is now. In the next year, the agenda for the Kansas City Police Department should include:

▪ Deploy body cameras. It is far past time for Kansas City police to purchase and require the use of body-worn video cameras for its officers. Body cameras protect the public, and officers too, by providing evidence of interactions between officers and civilians.

Body cameras are personal protective equipment for people.

Almost exactly a year ago, a Kansas City police officer shot and killed Terrance Bridges, a 30-year old unarmed civilian. Prosecutors pursuing evidence in the case were hindered by the lack of video of the incident — and the lack of testimony from the dead victim. No charges were filed.

Police officials have complained about the cost of the cameras, now estimated at $2.5 million. That’s a red herring. No matter how much the police department budget grows, it’s still never enough to make cameras a priority. The department and the city must find the resources to purchase and deploy the cameras before the end of the year.

▪ Reform the Office of Community Complaints. The office was set up to adjudicate complaints about police behavior; instead, most people see it as a toothless bureaucracy.

The office lacks transparency. Citizens are intimidated by the process. And police officers are rarely sanctioned: In 2018, the office investigated 127 referred complaints.Two were sustained.

A new office should be created and overseen by the City Council — not the Board of Police Commissioners. Complainants should be provided legal assistance after filing. Officers who are disciplined should be named, and hearings open to the public.

▪ Impose zero tolerance. Officers who use excessive force should be terminated. Officers who demonstrate racial bias in deeds or words should be dismissed.

“All citizens will be treated equally with courtesy, consideration, and dignity,” the department’s ethics code says. Officers who ignore this directive should be easily found: The same code requires officers to report colleagues who violate it.

▪ Recruit and hire additional African American officers. Roughly 12% of the Kansas City Police Department is black. African Americans make up nearly 30% of the city’s population.

▪ Demilitarize. Like many departments, Kansas City police have purchased gear and weaponry more appropriate for an occupying army than a protective police force. Heavily armed and armored officers add to massive distrust in the community, which deserves a police department that protects and serves.

▪ Hire an inspector general. The Kansas City Council should hire and empower an independent inspector general for the department, with full access to records and documents. The independent auditor could examine police policy decisions, and respond to whistleblower complaints.

The Kansas City Police Department cannot, and should not, investigate itself.

▪ Send probable cause statements. The chief should never be allowed to withhold probable cause statements from prosecutors because of an “internal review.” Those statements should be sent automatically, without redaction, as quickly as possible.

▪ Institute local control. Kansas City remains the only major city in America without full oversight of its police department. The antiquated system establishes a barrier between the department and the people law enforcement officers are supposed to serve.

It leads to distrust, a lack of accountability, unacceptable violent crime and a breakdown of law and order.

None of these recommendations, save for local control, should be difficult or controversial. The mayor and City Council can use their power of the purse to implement needed changes and then seek legislative relief for others.

But police reform is essential. Now is the time for it.