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Kansas City Police Training | 'The Deficit Myth'

A protester who stepped onto the street and taunted police officers is shown here being led away in handcuffs at around 7 p.m.
Carlos Moreno
/
KCUR
A protester who stepped onto the street and taunted Kansas City police officers is shown here being led away in handcuffs on May 30.

Kansas City police responses to protests on the County Club Plaza have brought up questions about when and how police are trained to use force, and an emerging economic theory suggests the priorities of 'deficit hawks' could be erroneous.

Segment 1, beginning at 4:04: How are Kansas City police trained in de-escalation and the use of force?

Protesters who took to the Plaza to vent their frustration about the police killing of George Floyd saw a range of responses from their local police force. We learned how officers in the Kansas City Police Department are trained to respond to rapidly-changing and often unpredictable situations.

  • Maj. Charles Huth, commander of the Traffic Division, Kansas City Police Department

Segment 2, beginning at 32:35: An exploration of Modern Monetary Theory

Deficits do matter, says economist Stephanie Kelton, but not in the way we’ve been taught to believe. She offers an intriguing idea with all manner of possibilities for dealing with the environment, of guaranteeing a job for every American, or even facing a global pandemic.

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.
As culture editor, I oversee KCUR’s coverage of race, culture, the arts, food and sports. I work with reporters to make sure our stories reflect the fullest view of the place we call home, so listeners and readers feel primed to explore the places, projects and people who make up a vibrant Kansas City. Email me at luke@kcur.org.
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.