Lucas: Decisions about the future of public safety in our community should be in the hands of our voters

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Standing with local faith leaders, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas today introduced an ordinance to include a ballot question on local control of the Kansas City Police Department on the November election ballot. The proposed ballot question would read as follows:

Shall the City of Kansas City, Missouri establish as a City legislative priority in the Missouri General Assembly the pursuit of a state legislative or referendum action that will return Mayor and City Council-led local control to the Kansas City Police Department rather than the current control of the Kansas City Police Department by a committee comprised of four members appointed by the Governor of Missouri and an additional position held by the Mayor of Kansas City?

“We have heard the community’s demands for an accelerated effort to explore the issue of local control—and today we’re taking decisive action to provide our electorate an opportunity to weigh in on this issue,” said Mayor Lucas. “Decisions about the future of public safety in our community should be in the hands of our voters. I look forward to hearing from the people of Kansas City on the best path forward. This is one of many steps we’re taking to create a better and more accountable City government, improve community relations, and build the best police department for our community and our officers.”

Earlier this month, Mayor Lucas signed onto a list of demands – one of which is to fight for local control – presented by local organizers. Mayor Lucas this month also visited with a group of 75 faith leaders who held a press conference outside of City Hall to demand local leaders fight for local control.

# # #