Northeast News

August 4, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – On the evening of Wednesday, August 3, KCPD Chief Darryl Forte responded to criticism of comments he recently made to the Kansas City Star, including the notion that police-related shootings of black males were partially the result of “unreasonable fear” on the part of law enforcement. On the morning of Wednesday, August 3, Kansas City, Kansas Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #4 President Scott Kirkpatrick published on open letter on the lodge’s Facebook page calling for Forte to retract his comments to the Star.

Also on Wednesday, Kansas City, Missouri Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge #99 President Brad Lemon posted a letter on the lodge’s web site challenging Forte’s assertions. Each of three letters are posted below, in full, for the benefit of Northeast News readers.

First, here is the full statement issued by Chief Forte on Wednesday evening:

“There has been some concern about my recent comments to the Kansas City Star regarding police-involved shootings of black males. I’d like to point out the comments in the 2-minute video on the Star’s web site were filmed three weeks ago and were a very short portion of a much longer interview and article that are scheduled to be published soon. I think those additional pieces will lend greater context to what I said.

I’d also like to welcome anyone with concerns about anything I say or do to contact me directly. I’d love to discuss the issues one-on-one and perhaps provide more context and the reasons behind my thinking.

I do respect others’ opinions, and I apologize if anyone was offended by my comments about police-involved  shootings of black males. I said some of those incidents were the result of unreasonable fear and poor training on behalf of the police. I was in no way referencing any particular incident or any particular department. Over the last several years, we have seen many officer-involved shootings of black males throughout the country. These have created outrage, and to ignore these sentiments and give no thought to what police can do to improve the situation would be irresponsible.

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department is a very good department composed of dedicated men and women who regularly confront danger with courage and difficult situations with discernment and compassion. But just because we are good does not mean we can’t be better. We have initiated new training in the last few years to address tactical disengagement and redeployment, appropriate threat assessment, and to cope with mental health issues that could impact the way we do our jobs. (You can read more about the latest training in our department’s June newsletter​.

We have put great effort toward more positive interactions with other segments of the community. Because it’s not just police who can have unreasonable fears: Other members of the community can have unreasonable fears of police. We’re working together to overcome those.

Other police departments in the metro area and nationwide are engaging in similar training and outreach. My comments in no way were meant to demonize law enforcement. It’s a profession for which I hold very deep respect and of which I am proud to call myself a member for 31 years. I respect those who serve and the labor organizations who represent them, as well. But police in the United States are facing unprecedented scrutiny, and we have some issues to work through. Talking about those issues may be uncomfortable, but it is needed, so I will continue to have those discussions. I will continue to address the changes that need to be made to improve the service of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, and what other members of the community can do to improve the safety of their neighborhoods.

I am proud of all the members of KCPD. They are dedicated public servants who, in the face of some of the most difficult situations in our city, strive to live out our mission of protecting and serving with honor and integrity.”

Second, here’s KCK FOP Lodge #4 President Scott Kirkpatrick’s letter to Chief Forte, entitled, “AN OPEN LETTER TO KCMO PD POLICE CHIEF DARRYL FORTE”:

“Dear Chief Forte:

Please allow me to introduce myself, my name is Scott Kirkpatrick and I am the President of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #4 in Kansas City, Kansas. I am writing to you to address some misguided and dangerous statements that you made with regard to police use of force in a recent Kansas City Star interview.

As you know, our Department has experienced unprecedented anguish and grief in the aftermath of the murder of our friends, colleagues and brothers, Det. Brad Lancaster and Captain Robert Melton. We have spent the last two months mourning the loss of these two brave men. We all are trying to heal. Many are trying to resist the urge to throw in the towel and leave law enforcement. Chief Zeigler, through both of these terrible tragedies, has provided untold support to our officers. He has worked tirelessly to keep our morale high, and we applaud him for it.

However, your misguided statements in your recent interview have again torn those healing wounds wide open. In your interview, you say that the recent killing of suspects is a result of as you say “UNREASONABLE FEAR.” When I heard those words, I had to listen to them again because I could not believe that the head of a well-respected law enforcement agency, and person who wears the uniform, would make such ridiculous uninformed comments.

First, how would you pretend to know what was in the hearts of any of those officers. You have not spoken to them, nor you do know them. You have not been directly or indirectly involved in the investigation so you could not and do not know all the facts. Nevertheless, your uninformed speculation is just fuel to the fire of those who have already demonstrated a desire and willingness to harm police officers. When the enemies of justice see comments like this from you as a Chief, it gives them all the license they need to engage in unimaginably callous acts against those you are supposed to represent.

Second and most importantly, to suggest that an officer’s fear at any time is per se unreasonable without knowing the facts represents a monumental misunderstanding of the job we are doing out of the streets in the current climate. Officers are rightfully on edge. They have seen their brothers and sisters gunned down in cold blood simply for wearing the uniform. You say that their fear is unreasonable. Well tell that to Det. Lancaster’s wife and daughters. Tell that to Captain Melton’s children and loved ones. Tell that to the families of officers in New York, Dallas and Baton Rouge and as close as Baldwin, Missouri. The fear is real. People are out to harm us. And now your comments will only make things worse.

On behalf of all the officers I represent, and those that work in and around Kansas City who saw your comments, I ask that you retract your statement immediately and apologize to the families of those fallen officers your words have harmed some completely and so unbelievably.

Right now, you are a detriment to our profession. You are not helping. You are only making it worse.”

Finally, here’s the letter penned by Brad Lemon of KCMO FOP Lodge #99:

“Brothers and Sisters, 

Yesterday a statement from Chief Darryl Forte’ was released that was provided from his office in headquarters. During that video he makes several comments that I take exception to. The men and women that work in that building and buildings all over the city are the finest people I have ever known and have the pleasure to work with. Our members give their heart and soul to the citizens of Kansas City and unfortunately, some have given all. In front of headquarters is a statue that contains 119 names of those that have lost their lives in the service of Kansas City, 83 of those fine officers died as a result of gunfire. 

Each of us were trained in a nationally recognized academy, and our curriculum is approved by members of command and then certified by Missouri’s POST commission. Our training is not sub-standard, in fact, I would challenge anyone to find fault with it. Our firearms section was just recognized for identifying several training issues that provides options to disengage and seek cover while contacting armed and dangerous subjects. 

An accusation was made by Chief Forte’ that we have gone around him regarding policy changes and “try to get favor” with those who make decisions. Our current contract with the Board of Police Commissioners specifically allows for us to be included in policy discussions, and when our input and suggestions are ignored we are allowed to address the Board directly. The chief signed that contract and is aware of the procedure. I will make no apologies for taking the opportunity to protect our member’s rights in that contract. 

I cannot understand any statement regarding unreasonable fear on our member’s part when dealing with life and death situations. We are humans, and not robots. We have families and lives. The fear that officers feel during critical incidents is real. It is not for someone else to tell us what is reasonable or unreasonable. We make decisions based on the totality of circumstances, and strive to do what is reasonable. Our training is based on rulings from our great country’s Supreme Court. 

I ask that Chief Forte’ address these issues in a public forum and provide our members with some resolution to his statements not only yesterday, but in forums that he has spoken at a number of times in the last several weeks. There are a number of videos that suggest that he didn’t misspeak, but holds those values. 

We will continue to serve our city with honor and dignity. We swore an oath to do so, and our word is our bond. Our family is a great family, and in these dangerous times we will strive to be the leaders that our community deserve.”