Policing

St. Louis-area residents gathered at an event hosted by St. Louis Public Radio and NPR to address the changes that have been made since then, as well as what still needs to be done.

The amendment's supporters say “adequate funding is needed” to keep Kansas City safe, but Mayor Quinton Lucas opposes the proposed amendment because it “takes power” from local officials.

The constitutional amendment targets a police funding mandate that only applies to Kansas City, the lone city in Missouri without local control over its police department.

In March 2022, a Missouri sniper shot and killed a toddler in error, acting — according to experts — contrary to training and best practices.

The man, known only as Sniper 1, fatally shot two-year-old Clesslynn Crawford during a 2022 standoff. He is still working for the Joplin Police Department.

A KCUR and Midwest Newsroom investigation reveals the chain of events that ended in the death of Clesslynn Crawford in March 2022.

Over 35,000 people who were jailed in St. Ann between 2014 and 2021 can receive money from a $3.1 million class-action settlement. ArchCity Defenders claimed the city illegally jailing people without inquiring about their ability to make bail.

The Missouri Senate heard testimony Wednesday on the bill. Under the legislation, which the House passed in early March, the governor would appoint four members to a board of police commissioners. The mayor of St. Louis would also serve on that board.

The St. Louis Police Officers Association’s new contract with the city would be voided if the state takes control of the department, which is being considered by the Missouri legislature

Doyle announced he would retire from the county’s police department earlier this month after serving more than 30 years.