Thank you for your support in wake of officers' shooting

Three of our officers were shot yesterday while trying to apprehend the man that we have identified as the suspect in the murder of a UMKC student from India - Sharath Koppu - on July 6. Fortunately, all three officers’ injuries were not life threatening. The suspect was killed in a gun battle with police. You can see pictures of one of the officer's vehicles above.

But I think the bigger story is what happened before, outside of and after yesterday’s incident. The people of Kansas City really came together to help us solve this senseless slaying of an innocent man. After we released video of the suspect, we got more than 40 tips from community members. About ten of those all identified the same person. I think this is proof both that the people of Kansas City will not tolerate that kind of violence and that the increased $10,000 reward for information in homicides is paying off.

Obviously, our very brave and courageous officers deserve a great deal of credit and praise for what happened yesterday. Without being called, they responded from all over the city, on-duty and off. Some of them just put on their uniforms and showed up to help in any way they could.

On behalf of the KCPD, I’d like to thank the agencies who assisted us at multiple shooting scenes yesterday, including the Kansas City Missouri Fire Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, U.S. Marshals, FBI and ATF. Taking It to the Streets and the Salvation Army provided food, drink and a place to cool off and use the restroom for the officers, detectives and crime scene staff who were out working these incidents. We’d also like to thank the amazing hospital staff members who have cared for our officers so diligently and cheerfully accommodated all of their visitors.

As those officers recover in the hospital, they are taking in the massive amount of support that has flowed their way, and it is lifting their spirits. Members of the Board of Police Commissioners and Mayor Sly James came to visit them. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson called to offer his support and acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice required in police work. Other elected officials have reached out, as well. I’ve lost track of how many of our fellow police agencies around the metro area and across the country have reached out with their support and prayers. Members of the media have offered their well-wishes.

Most importantly, our community has rallied around these officers and our department. We were frankly a little taken aback by all the notes of thanks and support that have come in on social media, e-mail and by phone. That support means the world not only to the officers who are recovering, but to everyone on this department. Because this job is not easy, and in recent years, it’s only gotten harder as tension has erupted between law enforcement and the people they serve across the country. Our job is to protect and serve every single person who lives, works or visits Kansas City, Mo., with professionalism and integrity, and we take that duty extremely seriously. For officers to go out there and know that their work is appreciated means more than a paycheck ever could. I just can’t say “thank you” enough to the people of our city who are partnering with us to make it safer.

Some of those people were in the neighborhoods yesterday where these incidents occurred. We interrupted a church service and had people shelter in place in their houses. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in our efforts to bring this incident to the safest conclusion possible.

We hope everyone’s support continues beyond these next few days. The terror of what happened will not stop for these officers after they leave the hospital. They are husbands, fathers, sons and brothers, and their families have undergone trauma, as well. We deployed a chaplain to the hospital and to each of our urban core police stations to pray with and encourage not only the injured officers but especially our newer officers who are understandably shaken. Our Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 99 also hosted a chaplain and activated our peer support network. The KCPD CARE Team assisted with practical matters for the injured officers’ families. Everyone involved in this situation will remember what took place for the rest of their career, and their lives, for that matter. They will also remember the outpouring of support received from this community. Thank you to all. 

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.

Farewell from Interim Chief David Zimmerman

Chief David Zimmerman has served as Interim Chief of Police of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department (and author of this blog) during the last three months during the search and hiring process for a new chief. Major Richard C. Smith will be sworn in as the new Chief at 9:30 a.m. next Tuesday, Aug. 15. Today, Chief Zimmerman sent out a farewell message to the members of KCPD, and he wanted to share it with KC residents. 

"As my tenure as Chief of Police draws to a close, I am compelled to expressed some heartfelt words about the last three months. I appreciate the Board of Police Commissioners affording me the opportunity to lead this great organization as they undertook the search for the next Chief of Police. 

"Also, the words of encouragement and support I have received from the public in my day-to-day interactions throughout this city is evidence of the tremendous strides made over that last five years to strengthen the relationship between the police department and the community we serve.
  
"Further, I find it necessary to express my gratitude to the men and women of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, especially to Executive Command for their assistance and the Chief’s Office staff who kept me on time, on task, on message and headed in the right direction. Finally, and foremost, I must thank all of the women and men of our police department who keep this 24/7 operation moving, particularly those answering the call for 'any car' or 'shots fired.' These brave souls do not hesitate to go in harm’s way to save another while guided by the better angels of our nature.  I realize it sometimes seems like an impossible hill to climb, especially as we try to adjust to staffing reductions of nearly 10 percent from previous years. However, I am confident the members of this organization will persevere and conquer any challenge that arises.  

"I only ask that you show the same support for Chief Rick Smith, who will need it as he faces the daunting task of dealing with violent crime plaguing many areas of our city.  

"Please know that I will cherish my 35 years with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, especially these last three months, while my thoughts and prayers will be for each of you long after I have ceased wearing the badge and uniform.

Chief David B. Zimmerman " 

Interim Chief Zimmerman: My first week on the job

As I near the end of my first week as Chief of Police, I must acknowledge that I could not fulfill the responsibilities of this position without the support and encouragement of the women and men of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department. My experiences this week only reinforce my conclusion that I made the right choice over 34 years ago when I joined this organization. 

As for the community we serve, the support I have received over the past week is humbling as individuals I don’t personally know approach me with words of congratulations, along with offers to help and kind words of reassurance. I have been a life-long resident of Kansas City, Missouri, raising a family here, and I will continue to call this great city home long after I am finished with policing.

One final thought as we gather with friends and family this Memorial Day weekend to remember the loved ones we have lost, I pray everyone has a safe holiday and we extend a hand of friendship and support to those around us.

A farewell message to the members of the KCPD

My retirement was effective May 20, 2017. Future chiefs will take over this blog going forward, but I wanted to post one last thing. Below is the message I sent to all the members of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department today, and I wanted to share it publicly so they know how much they are appreciated:

"To the members of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department,

As you know, my retirement became effective this past weekend. I just wanted to take one last opportunity to thank you all and to encourage you to continue doing the best you can do.

It has been my honor to serve our community with you for the past 31-plus years. I’m proud of this organization. We have high-caliber sworn members and professional non-sworn members. Because of this, I continue to expect great things of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department. We have great developing leaders at all levels, so the future looks bright.

One request I would make of you is to continue to be mindful of your wellness and that of your coworkers. This includes not just physical health but also mental and emotional well-being. That is one thing we focused on as an organization during my time as chief. Please continue to look out for each other’s welfare.

Thank you, again, for the opportunity to serve as the leader of this organization for the last five-and-a-half years. Going forward, I know you will continue to impact our community for good."


- Darryl Forté

I'm proud of KCPD members and our city

I would like to take the time to say how proud I am of the members of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and thank them for their professionalism and service in keeping our community safe. KCPD members continue to show what compassionate and caring individuals they are. I continue to be proud of the professionalism and compassion they exhibit.

I am encouraged by and appreciate all the support we have received and continue to receive from other segments of the community. Messages are constantly flooding in on social media and elsewhere thanking me for all the department does. Our officers dole out small kindnesses every day that most people will never know.

But I would be remiss not to thank the people of Kansas City, as well. Thank you for your civility. Thank you for letting your thoughts be known in a peaceful manner. One of my main goals as chief of police is to improve relationships between KCPD and other segments of the community. We are working toward that every day. I look forward to continuing to build upon the relationships we have made thus far and enhancing the trust between police and our community.

I am proud and honored to serve such an engaged community and will continue to work together to make our city safe. Your continued support is needed and truly appreciated.

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.

During intense scrutiny, a message for KCPD members

I shared the below message today with all the members of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, and now I'd like to share it with everyone. I appreciate all the support our department has received from the community, and I look forward to continuing to build even stronger relationships between police and other members of the community. Here's the message that went out to KCPD members this morning:

I want to thank all department members again for their service in keeping our community safe. I am not the only one. In fact, most people appreciate what you do. They support you and want you to know how important you are to our community. Even Governor Jay Nixon said when he was at our Headquarters yesterday that he recognizes the difficulty of your job and what a valuable service you provide. He also said the Kansas City Missouri Police Department is a model that other law enforcement agencies in the state should follow.

Under the intense scrutiny law enforcement has faced, I continue to be proud of the dedication and professionalism the members of this department exhibit. This weekend will mark the first anniversary of the officer-involved shooting in Ferguson, Mo., that sparked so much of the police scrutiny. Negative attention on law enforcement in Kansas City and across the nation likely will come in media reports and from other sources. Do not be discouraged. I know our members are here to protect and serve with professionalism, honor and integrity, and we will continue to work with the community to make our city safe and strong.

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org. 

In these times of scrutiny, I'm proud of KCPD members and our city

These have been trying times for relations between law enforcement and the other members of the communities they serve (I say “and other members” because members of law enforcement are part of their communities, too). Police are under greater scrutiny than ever before. In light of that, I’d like to say how proud I am of the members of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department. Our employees have exhibited professionalism during the most difficult situations, especially in recent weeks. One great example: on the night of one of the largest protests, when hundreds of people decried police brutality, our officers arranged to have a KCATA bus transport the protesters back to their vehicles. It was cold and dark, and the officers knew the protesters had walked a long way.

KCPD members have continued to show what compassionate and caring individuals they are. In just the past couple of days, local news organizations have reported on how our officers work to ensure hungry children have food to eat and how an officer spent his time on his day off putting in new porch lights for elderly residents in the urban core. And those are just the stories that got reported. Our officers dole out small kindnesses every day that most people will never know. I appreciate everyone on social media and elsewhere who tell me about when they see one of our officers quietly doing a good deed.

This professionalism and compassion among our staff is by no means new. But with the spotlight on law enforcement nowadays, it certainly gives me more confidence than ever that our department is composed of quality people who really strive to achieve our mission: “Protect and serve with professionalism, honor and integrity.”

But I would be remiss not to thank the people of Kansas City, as well. Thank you for your civility. Thank you for letting your thoughts be known in a peaceful manner. Thank you for respecting the rights and property of others. Know that I am listening. I hear your frustration. One of my main goals as chief of police is to improve relationships between KCPD and the rest of the community. We are working toward that every day.

To that end, please come share your thoughts with us at a forum this Saturday. It will be from 9 a.m. to noon at the Palestine Missionary Baptist Church at 3619 E. 35th St. You’ll be able to sit down with the commander of the patrol division in which you live (as well as the Traffic Division commander), hear what’s going on in your area and share any thoughts and concerns you may have.

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org. 

Reflecting on my third anniversary as Chief of Police

Over the past three years, I have had the pleasure of leading an organization filled with talented, dedicated, compassionate and professional employees. Since being appointed chief of police on October 13, 2011, I have experienced a tremendous amount of personal and professional growth thanks to many. 

Both my immediate and extended family have been nothing but supportive and encouraging during my entire 29 years of employment with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department.  I am so blessed and appreciative to have them in my life. Same goes for my few close groups of friends who look out for my well-being, several of whom contact me daily.   

My faith-based supporters are very much appreciated as they have prayed for me regularly as well as remind me that I work for God and not for man.  Oftentimes I have made decisions that others question, which I encourage and welcome, but please know that I pray before making most major decisions and will follow the guidance of my heavenly Father. Thus far, when I have listened to him, many crises have been averted.

What I am most encouraged about during my tenure as chief is the reduction in the number of homicides in Kansas City. The reduction in the number of homicides committed this year is unparalleled during the past five decades. The credit for the reduction is only in part due to the efforts of the police department. Many organizations, programs and individuals are contributing to making our city safer than it has been for decades. Oftentimes when I respond to homicide scenes, I observe witnesses openly sharing information with detectives. Many are willing to respond to Police Headquarters to provide formal statements.

Even media coverage of violent crimes has diminished. My observations over the past 18 months have revealed less doomsday coverage from some of the local media outlets. During a brief period of my tenure as chief, I and others noticed an increase in negative coverage, even when there had been no increase in violent crimes.  Responsible reporting has, without a doubt, contributed to increasing the feelings of safety in some parts of our community. People tend to want to get involved more when they feel as though the situation is not hopeless.

We should not become complacent, nor should we claim victory. There is no cause to celebrate the still too-high number of senseless acts of violence in our city. We must continue to work together to make the greater metropolitan area one of the safest areas in the country.

What I am currently most concerned about is the police department’s inability to attract and retain qualified minority police officers. The number of minority police officers has increased during my tenure as chief, but not to a level where I am satisfied. Institutional racism exists within many organizations, and law enforcement is not exempt. I have noticed that many who broach the subject of recruiting have done little to contribute to solving the problem, but they often espouse to have the solutions for others to implement. The entire community should be responsible for recruiting police officers who can best serve our community. Weekly, in the national spotlight, we hear of negative race-related issues between the police and other segments of the community. These issues are real!  The community has made it clear that increased minority representation is needed. I implore the entire community to get involved. Ask yourself this question, “How might I contribute to increasing diversity?”  You can share your ideas/concerns at Attorney General Koster’s Roundtable on Tuesday, October 14, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the theater of the Student Union building on the campus of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5100 Cherry Street. Several local chiefs of police also will be meeting on Tuesday, at another location, to discuss minority recruitment and other issues. Rest assured that I will continue to keep this issue on the forefront of my agenda. (And FYI, I prayed before I drafted this paragraph.)

Organizational and cultural changes in the police department have been a continuous process and are necessary to gain and nurture community trust. Problem solving will continue to be viewed as a shared responsibility between the police and other segments of the community.

We will continue to practice fiscal discipline throughout the department to ensure continued financial viability and to increase efficiency, avoid periods of stagnation, continue to reach out to the community en masse through social media and by other means, incorporate emerging technologies in our day-to-day operations and to provide high-quality services in a customer-friendly manner.

Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank the Board of Police Commissioners for allowing me to serve our community.  

Please know that I will continue to do what is in the best interest of the entire community and have no plans to retire any time soon. I am often asked how long will I serve as chief and if I have a contract. I will serve until I accomplish what I have set out to accomplish and no, I do not have a contract. By state statute I must retire at age 65. I am 52 years old, so I have almost 13 years of eligibility.

Thanks again to all who have contributed to making my dreams come true!

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org. 

Our department's new mission statement

We recently updated our department’s mission statement, and I wanted to share it with you and explain the change. This is the new statement:

To protect and serve with professionalism, honor and integrity.

Simply put, the mission statement is why we exist. It is a summary of what our daily practices should reflect as well as serve as a reminder of why we have chosen a career in law enforcement. Clarity and brevity are crucial components of the mission statement. However, of most importance is adherence to what the statement says.

We must consistently exhibit a servant-based attitude – an eagerness to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Our department members also must continue to develop so we can contribute to reducing crime in Kansas City.

Our purpose must be clearly understood by all department members and communicated to other segments of the community, and I hope this new statement does that.

We are proud and honored to serve such an engaged community. Your continued support is needed and truly appreciated.

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.

As snow melts, hard work of Building Operations staff comes to forefront

The last of the snow from the city’s latest storm is melting today, and it reminds me to point out the hard work of those who were behind the scenes ensuring the work of police could continue during each of these weather events.

Our Buildings Operations personnel quietly maintain our facilities so employees can do their jobs of public safety. It’s not an easy task. Some of our buildings – like Headquarters, built in 1938 – are old and have continuous problems (thanks to the public safety sales tax, we are working to address these issues, but it will take time). The Building Operations staff members work so smoothly we often don’t think about all they do. In the three major snow events in the last month and a half, however, the importance of their work became very evident.

Unlike businesses and other government operations, the police department can’t shut down during inclement weather. In fact, that’s often when officers are needed most – helping stranded motorists and those involved in car crashes. But they would never be able to assist the public if they were snowed in at police stations. And they couldn’t have left the stations without all our Building Operations personnel did.

During each of our three big snow events, Building Ops crews logged about 160 man-hours of snow removal duty at our patrol division stations, Headquarters, Fleet Operations Unit, Helicopter Section and other critical facilities. That’s 480 total hours dealing with the snow. During each event, crews plowed; spread about 20 tons of salt; and two tons of ice melt. Personnel from Patrol, Fleet and Helicopter also came out to help. Their primary goal was to keep the patrol stations operational, then plow and salt all secondary lots.

As the reminder of their hard work melts away, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank the members of our Building Operations Unit for all their hard work.

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.

Recognizing the behind-the-scenes work that helped stop a serial killer

Kansas City Police recently arrested a man who killed two women and was intent on killing more. Investigators allege that Derek Richardson, 27, was a serial killer in the making. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of abandonment of a corpse. He already was targeting other potential victims. You can read more about the case in this Kansas City Star article.

You might have seen the Feb. 8 press conference in which we asked for tips in these cases on television, or the one announcing we had identified and arrested the suspect. You probably saw several of the detectives at those events. They did amazing work on this case. But what you did not see were the people who also worked diligently behind the scene to make the arrest happen.

I presented a Chief’s Coin today to one of those people: Jennifer Howard. She is the DNA Technical Leader at our Crime Lab and was instrumental in solving this case. For two months, she made this case a priority. She and other lab staff tested DNA samples as quickly as possible and came in at all kinds of odd hours to do so.

Jennifer discovered that DNA recovered from the second crime scene matched the first, solidly linking the two cases to the same killer. With this discovery, a task force of detectives from our department and Kearney, Mo., (the first victim’s body was dumped in rural Kearney) went to work. As they developed suspects, Jennifer tested to see whether their DNA matched the profile of that recovered at the crime scenes. Detectives developed about 50 suspects, and Jennifer and her team tested 37 DNA samples (she found the others already in CODIS – the national criminal justice DNA database). She worked quickly, as detectives told her the killer could strike again.

A few days after the Feb. 8 press conference, a tip came in leading detectives to Richardson. Jennifer confirmed his DNA sample was a match to the crime scenes.

Sergeant Doug Niemeier, who led the investigative task force, said Jennifer was the go-to person for DNA work. If they got a sample at 10 p.m., she would come in at 10 p.m. and go to work testing it. And that promptness was important.

“If we didn’t find him, we knew he’d do it again,” Niemeier said.

This above-and-beyond work and attitude is why I was pleased to present Jennifer with the Chief’s Coin today as a special token of appreciation.

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.

Looking back on my first year as Chief of Police

I was sworn in as chief of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department nearly one year ago on Oct. 13, 2011. I would like to offer a heartfelt thanks to family, friends and co-workers for their support during my first year as chief. Without them, my journey would have been much more difficult. I also appreciate the support other segments of the community have shown to me. Understanding symbiotic relationships is a must if we are serious about mending distrust issues in the community. Therefore, my focus has been and will continue to be on developing and nurturing relationships. A day has not gone by in which someone from the community has not commented on the positive direction of the department - whether about the outstanding performance of an employee, the increased use of technology, the recognizable positive engagement of residents or comments in general about improved feelings of safety in the community. Let it be known that I have not done anything alone; I am merely a part of a tremendously dedicated workforce who understands the importance of the role we play in this community. This is a role that has not been taken lightly!

I would be remiss to limit my recognition to current members of the police department and not acknowledge the contribution of former chiefs of police, specifically retired chiefs James Corwin and Rick Easley, for establishing the foundation on which I am able to build. For their personal attention to my professional development, I am extremely grateful. I am a by-product of a team of predecessors who prepared me to carry the baton, and as I progress, I am doing the same for those who will remain a part of the department upon my retirement. (I have no retirement plans in the near future, however).

Hopefully, many of you have followed what has been going on in the community concerning activities of law enforcement in general, so I won’t detail all programs, projects or changes in philosophy. There were more than 230 Priority Actions in the original draft of mystrategic plan. So far, we have addressed more than 80 Priority Actions as we continue to work toward achieving reductions in crime and building trusting and respectful relationships both internally and externally. There is much more work to be done. However, we are headed in the right direction, especially with regard to improving relationships. Here are several links to some of our initiatives:

• Community Support Division
- Community Support Division will reach out to those affected by violent crime
- Community Support Division makes inroads in neighborhood
- Six aggravated assault victims pursue prosecution thanks to Community Support Division

• Hot Spot Policing 

• Increased Partnership with Probation and Parole 

• ShotSpotter

I am committed to continuing to serve our City to the best of my ability. It is truly an honor serving such an engaged community and I am excited about what the future holds for our great city. Your support is appreciated!

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.

What's been in my e-mail inbox lately

In just the last two weeks, I have received multiple e-mails from residents praising members of this department. Several had gone on ride-alongs and were impressed to see how officers conduct themselves on a day-to-day basis. Others were pleased with the way officers resolved a situation. I wanted to share some of these messages with you:

From a woman whose car stereo was stolen last fall and didn’t expect to get it back:

I was very surprised to receive a call from Detective Herriman on May 14th that our stereo had been located in a pawn shop. He explained what actions I could take, and when I expressed that I did not want to press charges, but was unsure about contacting the owner myself, he told me that he might be able to retrieve the stereo with me, which was great because we had never replaced it. He asked if I could meet him at the pawn shop, and I explained that my husband had just had surgery, and I had been told not to leave him alone for the first few days of recovery. He then told me that he could drop the stereo off at our home that same afternoon. I was really shocked by how helpful he was, especially for such a small item!

Not only was Detective Herriman extremely helpful and friendly, but I think it's really incredible that pawn shops and other retailers are being checked for stolen goods. Even though property crimes like these are minor offenses, it really does increase my sense of safety at how thorough the police force in Kansas City is. Thank you so much for all you do, especially Detective Herriman!

From a woman who did a ride-along in the Metro Patrol Division on May 21

We hear a great deal of media coverage regarding Kansas City’s exploding homicide rate and, understandably, it deserves the media’s attention. But, we rarely hear about the outstanding service our KMCO Police Officers provide day-in-and-day-out. They are the first responders – they put their own lives on the line every day to protect our citizenry and, unfortunately, they receive little public recognition for their tremendous effort.

I watched Officer Grizzoffi deal with a mother of four, living in deplorable conditions, and yet he was kind and considerate of her circumstances. As the night progressed I saw him interact with numerous individuals who would push the limit of tolerance for many individuals, including myself. I observed Officer Grizzoffi assist 2 other officers with the detainment and arrest of a habitual criminal calmly and professionally. And I was moved by Officer Grizzoffi’s effort to reach out to a troubled woman who had attempted suicide with compassion and sympathy.

Nothing I do professionally, on any given day, no matter how “taxing” I find it to be, can compare to what our police officers face on a daily basis. I am very thankful we are protected by exceptional policemen, like Officer Grizzoffi.

From a woman who lives in South Kansas City:

I'd just like to say thanks to all the officers, in cars and on horses, who did such a great job peacefully dispelling the very large group of kids attempting to overrun the 7-11 at Blue Ridge Blvd and 107th Street around noon on Wednesday, May 23rd! Their approach and plan was just perfect, and their professionalism evident.

From a man who went on a ride-along in the South Patrol Division on May 11:

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Ride Along program this past May 11. I would also like to commend the officer that I accompanied, Officer Cooper and his partner, Jason. It was a terrific learning experience for me and gave me insight into the challenges the police on the street face every day. Officer Cooper displayed sharp reaction in a difficult domestic violence situation and handled it with poise. Both of these officers showed a clear understanding of the law they are assigned to uphold and are attentive to the procedures required to fulfill case duty.

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.

ShotSpotter is coming to Kansas City

I was pleased this morning to join Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, Mayor Sly James, and several others at the Metro Center at 39th and Troost to announce the partnership that will bring ShotSpotter to Kansas City. This technology is “a gunfire alert and analysis solution” that uses several acoustic sensors that activate instantly when gunfire occurs. “The sensors and software triangulate and pinpoint the precise location of each round fired within seconds.”

ShotSpotter has the power to get officers to shooters and victims very quickly. I’ve done the research, and it’s a great crime-fighting tool. Even before I was chief, it was something I wished the Kansas City Police Department could have, but we never could identify a funding source for it. Rep. Cleaver made it happen. He saw how effective it was in Washington, D.C., and put forth a lot of effort getting it to Kansas City.

He worked with the KCATA (Kansas City Area Transportation Authority) to reprogram federal grant dollars left over when their Troost Max project came in under budget to a public safety project that will benefit everyone. KCATA Executive Director Mark Huffer said today this is the first police-transit ShotSpotter partnership in the nation.

Because criminals don’t tell us where they’re going to be, we’re not going to announce exactly where ShotSpotter will be. But it will be in high-crime neighborhoods and/or near urban core transit routes. The police department is seeking more funding possibilities to expand the system.

Sixty-six other cities use ShotSpotter with great success, and I’m confident Kansas City will have success, too. As Rep. Cleaver said this morning, “This is a rather bold attempt to silence the violence.”

It is just one piece of a larger effort to stop violence. We’re deploying more police to hard-hit areas and continue to build trust with residents. We also implore the community to not tolerate criminal behavior in their neighborhoods.

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org

What I'm hearing about "Kansas City's finest"

I know the staff of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department has not had it easy the last several years. Aside from a small 2 percent increase in August that was accomplished by not filling more than 100 vacant positions, they have not seen a raise since 2008. But I want you and them to know that they really are “Kansas City’s finest.” They go into situations no one else wants to, resolve problems no one else can and make us proud to call this city home.

Because you rarely hear about all the little, helpful things police do, I wanted to share with you just a sampling of some of the letters I’ve received from citizens in the past few months. If you’d like to let me know about an outstanding KCPD employee, e-mail thankanofficer@kcpd.org.  

From a concerned father:

“I want to express my thanks to Officer David Lantz of the KCPD for his outstanding professionalism and public service last night in dealing with my son, who was pulled over for speeding. Officer Lantz surely demonstrates the finest example of law enforcement that anyone, and particularly any parent, can possibly expect in their community. I am hoping that Officer Lantz’s excellent discussion with my son has hit a ‘home run’ and that his advice will be something by son takes to heart.”



From a 79-year-old man who hurt his back trying to change a flat tire near Headquarters:

“I walked to the police station and asked for help. Ms. Doris Williams of the Records Unit immediately helped me by calling a tow service and my wife. She let me sit down because I was very disoriented and in pain. After getting in touch with the towing service, Ms. Williams contacted Officer Dave Denney. He took me back to my car, waited until the towing service arrived; made sure I was taken care of and was physically settled. … Both Ms. Williams and Officer Denney really cared about helping me. They went out of their way at a time when I needed assistance. They are two very special people.”

From a neighborhood leader who invited Officers Joe Trombino and Curtis Penyweit and the KCPD roll-over simulator to their festival:

“The presentation was interesting and eye-opening; the officers knew their material and made the information easy to understand, even for children. In fact, the following week, an 11-year-old girl (who had seen the demonstration) was riding in the car with her mother. The mother had placed a barrel in the back seat of the car. The little girl remarked, ‘Mom, get that out of the car! If we had an accident, it would roll over and kill me.’ Her mother mentioned that her daughter was recalling the information that the officers shared about the impact (and crushing weight) that a loose, flying object could have on a person in a roll-over vehicle. We want you to know that we appreciate them sharing such useful information with the children, youth and parents.”

From a worried mother:

“My 15-year-old daughter … ran away today. I am sick with worry. I reported it this afternoon but decided to call North Patrol to see if they had any advice or action I could take. Karen Smith just spent 15 minutes on the phone with me. She made me feel hopeful and not so awful (if that is possible.) I really appreciate the advice and time she spent with me. She is a great person and a wonderful member of your police department. … She was the voice of reason and hope.”

From leaders of a non-profit organization that was victimized by embezzlement:

“We would like to commend Detective Dana Mauzy for her hard work, perseverance, and success in bringing justice to a man who preyed upon a non-profit that serves the most vulnerable citizens in our community – low income, inner-city youth and elderly, as well as the disabled. Her persistence and meticulous preparation of a complex fraud case resulted in an 82-count indictment in federal court.”

From a citizen who rode along with two officers:

“I wanted to let you know about the wonderful experience I had riding along with two of KCPD’s finest, Officer Pegg and Officer Magers. … From the moment the ride-along began, both officers created a professional, safe, informative and friendly atmosphere for this experience. … Throughout this experience, I witnessed both Officer Pegg and Officer Magers diligently serving the citizens of Kansas City, Missouri. Because of these officers and this ride-along experience, I offer my explicit support of your police force. As a KCMO resident, parent and educator, I will seek opportunities to share this wonderful experience within and beyond my community."

From a woman who lost her husband in a car crash:

“How does one find the correct phrase-ology to thank someone who displayed such kindness, professionalism and compassion during the most difficult time? My mere words cannot possibly express the gratitude our family has for Sergeant Jim Fuller. … Sergeant Fuller made the difficult call to notify me of the death of my beloved husband due to a fatal automobile accident. His gentle tone and voice on the long-distance call was one of reason and comfort. … This week, we finally met face to face. Sgt. Fuller and Officer Kevin Gooch came to our home and visited with the family, answering all of our questions. This final act of compassion resulted in a sense of closure for us about the events of that horrible night. … Sgt. Fuller is the consummate professional, and our family is stronger for his diligence to this case.”


From a mom who got lost downtown and found a police officer:

“Officer Dearing was so sweet and helpful. As he was explaining to me how to get to the on-ramp, I think he could tell I might get lost again. He offered to drive us to the ramp in his car, as we followed. It was only two blocks, but great to get a police escort! I’m sure your officers do these helpful things all the time, but people only want to talk about the negative. So I wanted to tell you about the positive. Please thank him for me!”

From another citizen who went on a police ride-along:

“I was so impressed with Officers Glidewell’s and Martin’s ability to handle difficult situations. It was obvious they had been well trained. I was most impressed with their human relations skills in dealing with the public, especially those that were intoxicated. I saw Officer Martin handle an intoxicated man in a skillful manner. As Officer Martin was putting this angry man in the wagon (the man was handcuffed and wearing a padded helmet), he thanked Officer Martin for treating him with respect. Wow! He got the job done and won this man’s respect at the same time.”

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A big thank you to the J.B. Reynolds Foundation

I want to say a big thank you to the J.B. Reynolds Foundation, which has an annual tradition of making the holidays merrier for the non-profits that support the KCPD. This year, Web Bixby of the J.B. Reynolds Foundation presented checks to the Police Athletic League, KCPD CARE Team and Friends of the Mounted Patrol totaling more than $22,500. That's $2,800 more than the Foundation donated last year. Here's a little more about the charities the money will support:

PAL
The mission of PAL is to offer youth the opportunity to interact with police officers in a positive setting while participating in cultural, mentoring and sports programs, with the main emphasis placed on academics. At the 1801 White PAL Center, inner-city children participate in everything from tutoring to basketball to boxing to computer classes, all for little to no cost. PAL is a nonprofit organization supervised by KCPD officers.

Captain James Thomas accepted the $10,000 check on behalf of PAL from Web Bixby.

CARE Team

The KCPD CARE Team is a non-profit organization that assists members of KCPD and their families in times of need. 

Supervisor and KCPD Victim Advocate accepted the $7,500 check on behalf of the CARE Team.

Friends of the Kansas City Missouri Mounted Patrol

This organization was formed with the purpose of supporting KCPD's Mounted Patrol Section by providing funds for additional training, equipment and veterinary care for the Section's horses.

Major Anthony Ell of the Patrol Bureau accepted the Mounted Patrol Check of $5,000.

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Fighting homicides

Since I was sworn in as Chief last month, my No. 1 goal has been to reduce violent crime. That includes solving those crimes and getting the offenders in custody as quickly as possible to prevent retaliation and additional acts of violence. In addition to the Homicide Unit, I have asked several other department elements to respond to homicide scenes, and they have begun to do so. This past weekend, when we experienced six homicides in 10 hours (a body found in a burned house, a double homicide, and a triple homicide), having those extra officers and detectives on-scene paid off.

One of the additional elements now having a representative respond to homicide scenes is the Street Crimes Unit. Their purpose is to gather information so they can assist the Homicide Unit in tracking leads and identifying and pursuing suspects as quickly as possible. They did just that on Friday and Saturday. As a result, with the help of our Career Criminal Squad, the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department and the ATF, they were able to track down and arrest the suspects in the double and triple homicides and are now pursuing other leads on the victim found dead in the burning home.

As I previously noted, following the six homicides, I called in additional officers who weren’t scheduled to work last weekend. It was those members from the aforementioned Street Crimes Unit squads that were out all weekend running down leads and successfully tracked down and arrested the suspects in five of the weekend’s six homicides.

The message I want to send to the citizens of Kansas City is that what we experienced last Friday and Saturday will not be tolerated or accepted as a fact of life in this city. Each incidence of homicide will be treated as a critical incident, and we will commit all the resources necessary to ensure our best chance of success in solving the crime and bringing those responsible to justice.

I want to thank all the officers and detectives who committed their time and efforts to identifying, locating and arresting the two homicide suspects believed to have killed five individuals over the weekend. Your excellent work and commitment to the residents of Kansas City have not gone unnoticed. I also want to thank those individuals who stepped forward and assisted us in identifying and locating the suspects. We will continue to need the assistance and cooperation of the citizens of Kansas City to reach our common goal as one community to significantly reduce violent crime and improve the quality of life for all of our residents.

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.

Honoring the military service of those on KCPD and everywhere

Tomorrow, the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and the rest of the nation will observe Veteran’s Day. Our organization highly values military service. We have many veterans and active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces on our department, and they proudly wear a ribbon on their uniforms noting their service to our country. It is a wide green band with slim stripes of orange and gray on either end.

As we approach Veteran’s Day, I wanted to take the time to recognize those who are serving both our city and our nation at this very moment. A dozen KCPD officers are on military leave right now, many facing the dangers of combat in a foreign land. Please give a quick prayer or thought for the safety of these officers and for the loved ones who miss them back home.

Additionally, I want to thank all of those who have served in the military past and present. You have protected the freedoms we so often take for granted.

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Northeast business thanks KCPD Foot Patrol

We spotted this sign on a business at the corner of Independence Avenue and Chestnut, in one of our foot patrol areas. It’s a very heartening sign (literally) that this initiative is working and improving the quality of life of people in the targeted areas. The Northeast News also followed along with officers serving in this area, and you can check out their story here. 

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Governor thanks KC-area public safety workers and volunteers for work in Joplin

Governor Jay Nixon stopped by Kansas City today to thank the public safety agencies, faith-based groups and other volunteers who have assisted in the efforts to help Joplin, Mo., recover from its horrible May 22 tornado. Dozens of our officers, Kansas City firefighters, police, fire and emergency medical workers from metro-area agencies and search-and-rescue canine teams were on hand. A few of our officers who went are pictured above.

As Governor Nixon said, "The tornado that hit Joplin had barely left when Kansas City's first responders were on the road."

Kansas City Police joined more than 400 other public safety organizations in this effort.

Governor Nixon said, "They ran toward danger, not away from it."

We realize KCPD's work in Joplin is just a small part of the recovery effort there, and we are humbled by the 29,000 volunteers who have served in that community so far. That's a truly astounding number of people who care about their neighbors, no matter how near or far they may be.

Send comments to kcpdchiefblog@kcpd.org.