Rick Smith

The lawsuit filed by a KCPD officer places blame for quotas and racist patrol tactics on former Chief Rick Smith. Current Chief Stacey Graves says she will remind traffic division to “operate and enforce laws appropriately.”

The Board of Police Commissioners selected Acting Deputy Chief Stacey Graves, who's been with the department for more than 25 years, to lead the Kansas City Police Department. Activists — and even Mayor Quinton Lucas — criticized the hiring process for lacking transparency and community input.

Residents gathered Tuesday to discuss the qualities they want to see in the next chief of police — transparency and community engagement were high on the list. Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith retires April 22.

El viernes, los Comisionados de la Junta Directiva de Policía de Kansas City anunciaron que el subjefe, Joe Mabin un veterano con 22 años de servicio en la fuerza de policía será el nuevo jefe interino.

The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners on Friday announced that the interim chief will be Deputy Chief Joe Mabin, a 22-year veteran of the force.

City Council will vote on funding for Kansas City Police this week. But Chief Rick Smith said in a radio interview that funding the department with 20% of the city’s general fund — as state law requires — still amounts to “defunding” the police.

Kansas City Council members failed to reach a consensus Thursday on whether to jumpstart the process to replace Police Chief Rick Smith, who will retire next year but whose current leadership continues to be fraught with controversy.

The removal of the embattled police chief has been a rallying cry for activists and civil rights groups. It comes just days after a Kansas City Police detective was convicted of manslaughter in the death of a Black man.

The board abruptly went into closed session after some clergy members called for a vote on Smith’s termination. Civil rights groups have been calling for Smith’s termination since his handling of protests against police brutality in June.

Deja Stallings says her unborn daughter is the latest victim of police brutality. Both the Kansas City Police Department and the Jackson County Prosecutor’s office say they’re reviewing the incident.

Lucas’ comments set up a showdown with organizers, who vow to remain camped at City Hall until Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith is fired and the police department’s budget is cut by 50%.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says he welcomes free expression, but draws the line at intimidation of officers’ families.