To gather feedback on who the community would like to see as Kansas City’s new police chief, a coalition of local businesses, civic and interfaith organizations have joined together to organize six public listening sessions.
Current Police Chief Rick Smith is set to retire from the department in April and the KC Board of Police Commissioners will soon begin the process for selecting a new chief.
The coalition, made up of organizations including the Black Chamber of Commerce, Prospect Business Association, Getting to the Heart of the Matter and KC Common Good, plan to take the feedback from the sessions and present them to the Board of Police Commissioners.
“The coalition recognizes that input and voices of the Kansas City community are vital and necessary as the city’s search for a police chief moves forward. Transparency and trust are essential,” said Pastor Ron Lindsay of Getting to the Heart of the Matter in a release.
“By collaborating and leveraging each organization’s strengths, we are ensuring the diversity of Kansas City’s neighborhoods, experiences, backgrounds, and vast geography are given equal opportunities to participate in the listening sessions,” Lindsay continued.
The coalition is asking for community members to fill out an online survey if they can not make it to the session in person. Some of the sessions will be available virtually. Click the links below to register.
Upcoming listening sessions:
March 29: Northland Community Listening Session at Northland Neighborhoods Inc., 5340 NE Chouteau Trafficway from 6-8 p.m.
April 2: East Side Community Listening Session at Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center, 3700 Blue Parkway from 10 a.m. to noon. In person attendance only.
April 2: South Kansas City Community Listening Session at Evangel Church, 1414 E. 103rd St. from 10 a.m. to noon. In person attendance only.
April 6: Westside Community Listening Session at Mattie Rhodes Center, 1701 Jarboe St. from 6-8 p.m.
April 7: Northeast Community Listening Session at Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, 2657 Independence Ave from 6-8 p.m.
April 14: Midtown/Downtown Community Listening Session at Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, 30 West Pershing Road in the Board Room, First Floor, Next to Pierpont’s from 3:30-5:30 p.m.