Northeast News
April 9, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – The Kansas City Police Department has made some structural changes recently to better combat area violent crime.

The changes began in 2013. Eventually, the moving of officers lead to the formation of the Violent Crimes Enforcement Unit on Jan. 19, 2014. Last year, Chief Darryl Forté moved more than 40 officers from units across the department into the Violent Crimes Division to reduce violent crimes.

On April 6, the last piece of the puzzle, the Violent Crimes Intelligence Squad, was formed. The changes were done for five main reason: it was designed to build community relationships, provide more intelligence and information about those who commit violent crimes, increase the arrest and prosecution of prolific criminals, predict and prevent violent crime, and increase departmental communication and efficiency.

According to department sources, also recently moved under the umbrella of the Violent Crimes Division, the Kansas City No Violence Alliance (KC NOVA) works with patrol officers and detectives to identify criminals and the groups/gangs they’re associated with. The Violent Crimes Enforcement Unit, also moved under the Violent Crimes Division, was recently assigned 28 uniformed personnel by Chief Forté to serve as the Violent Crime Division’s enforcement arm. In the early months of 2014, a homicide occurred within an identified criminal group. Working in conjuncture with the Narcotics and Vice Division with federal partners, the Violent Crimes Enforcement Unit dismantled the group by arresting its members on multiple federal firearms and narcotics trafficking charges. To allow for the same command chain to functionally operate, the Fugitive Apprehension and Arraignment Unit were also moved under the Violent Crimes Enforcement Unit.

Chief Forté and Violent Crimes Division Major Ronald Fletcher have also created a Violent Crimes Intelligence Squad. Incorporating experienced gang, homicide and narcotics detectives, this group will work to gather information from the community and patrol officers about gang/group feuds, retaliations and trends. This information will be analyzed and distributed department-wide from homicide detectives to street-level officers. The goal is to prevent violent crimes among gangs and groups before it takes place.