Kansas City Police have been requested to stay in Joplin for the next three weeks as tornado recovery continues. Tactical response reams and traffic enforcement squads will rotate every five days. Tactical Response Team 2 and a traffic squad are returning today, and Tactical Response Team 1 and another traffic squad will take their place.
KCPD is continuing to provide security through roving patrols and at St. John’s hospital.
The Kansas City Police Department also has been requested to assist with President Barack Obama’s visit to Joplin on Sunday.
And Kansas City's Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 99 is collecting items to distribute to Joplin police officers who lost everything in Sunday's tornado through an "adopt-a-cop" program.
This is our department at its finest - lending a hand when we are needed. Speaking of that, please consider lending a hand to the family of Riverside Public Safety Officer Jeff Taylor. He had gone to Joplin to provide mutual aid just as our officers had, but he was struck by lightning while assisting with rescue operations. He's in critical condition at a Springfield hospital. A fund, the Taylor Benefit Account, has been established for his family and medical expenses at the Kansas City Police Credit Union. You can donate by sending money to the account at Kansas City Police Credit Union, 2800 E. 14th St., Kansas City, MO 64127. For more information, call the Credit Union at 816-504-2800 or toll-free at 800-338-8567.
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