criminal justice reform

DeValkenaere is the first Kansas City law enforcement officer to be convicted for the fatal shooting of a Black man. Following the conviction, the department suspended DeValkenaere without pay.

To honor missing and murdered Indigenous people, a group of Native American advocates is making a months-long trip across the country on foot and by bike.

The Jackson County Prosecutor said in a court filing made public Monday that Kevin Strickland's "innocence is clear and convincing."

The use of racial slurs isn’t always enough to classify something as bias-based policing, according to the Kansas City Office of Community Complaints.

The omnibus public safety bill received overwhelming bipartisan support, and includes more than 40 provisions that will affect how police, corrections officers, and prosecutors do their jobs.

A ban on chokeholds, expanded police background checks and higher pay for most county sheriffs are in the bi-partisan, compromise bill.

In addition to threatening criminal penalties for blocking streets, the GOP-led bill would lower the gun conceal and carry age to 18, ban police chokeholds, and criminalize officers having sex with detainees.

The Overland Park Police Department has provided severance for two officers , including one who shot and killed a teenager.

Two bills could reduce prison and probation sentences for many low-level drug crimes, like possession and intent to distribute small amounts.

A city councilmember said Prairie Village is in a “unique and necessary position" to address marijuana decriminalization, with medical marijuana legal in Missouri.

With police departments under scrutiny for their relationship with Black Americans, Kansas City, Missouri's police force has a dismal diversity record, especially in its investigative units.

Activists calling for Lucas to defund the Kansas City Police Department say calling the changes 'radical' feels like ‘a slap in the face.’