Office Of Community Complaints | Preserving Civil War Flags

By Steve Kraske,

Danie Alexander, Mackenzie Martin, Luke X. Martin

Published June 30, 2020 at 12:15 PM CDT

Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith in uniform is seated at a table leaning in to listen to the protester in white T-shirt, ball cap and a black ski mask seated across from him. — In the wake of George Floyd protests on the Plaza, citizen oversight of the Kansas City Police Department has come into question. Police Chief Rick Smith is shown here during conversations with protesters on June 3.

The independent oversight agency that handles grievances against the Kansas City Police Department is often criticized, and why the Kansas Historical Society is restoring Civil War battle flags from Northern and Southern states.

Segment 1, beginning at 4:50: How Kansas City's civilian staffed oversight agency works.

A long-standing controversy involving the Kansas City Police Department has to do with its oversight from the Office of Community Complaints. The office is responsible for following up on complaints against law enforcement officers, but critics say they too rarely render judgments against the actions of officers and are raising questions about how effective and fair it is.

Merrell Bennekin, executive director of the Office of Community Complaints

Segment 2, beginning at 36:10: Is there a right way to preserve and display Confederate flags?

The Fourth of July is coming up, a day full of flag pride. There’s always one flag that causes controversy though — the Confederate battle flag. A curator explained why one such flag is included in the Kansas Historical Society's Save the Flags project that is restoring and preserving Civil War flags captured by Kansas troops

Blair Tarr, museum curator for the Kansas Historical Society

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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Mackenzie Martin

As senior podcast producer for KCUR Studios and a host of A People’s History of Kansas City, I interview everyday people and dig through old newspaper articles to unearth stories of the visionaries and renegades who created this region. I focus on bringing the past to life, so we can all better understand the city we live in today. Email me at mackenzie@kcur.org.

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Luke X. Martin

As culture editor, I help you embrace what makes Kansas City fun and vibrant, whether it’s a championship sports franchise or a little-known wonder. I work with reporters to ensure KCUR stories on art, culture, and race fully reflect our diverse home so readers and listeners can take full advantage of what the metro has to offer. Email me at luke@kcur.org.

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