KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri, is one of the largest cities in the country without local control of its police department.
But on Wednesday, the city council will discuss whether to change that.
3rd District councilwoman, Melissa Robinson is sponsoring the resolution to move toward local control of the the police department.
That resolution directs the city manager to conduct an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages if control of KCPD were returned to the city, which hasn't happened since 1939.
The city manager would survey community leaders, Kansas City police and others with knowledge about whether or not it should be locally controlled.
Currently, the department answers to a board of police commissioners and its members, who are appointed by the Governor of Missouri.
In a tweet, Robinson stated: "We continue the conversation for local control of our police department tomorrow. If crime was as impactful across the city as it is in the 3rd Dist I do believe we would not stand for the absence of local political accountability."
If the resolution is adopted, the city manager would then report back within six months to discuss the findings of the analysis.
A similar push to have local control failed in 2013 and 2016.
The public is invited to attend the meeting and speak on the issue. It will be held on the 26th floor of City Hall at 10:30 a.m.
