COMMITTEE
HB 1525 -- CITY OFFICIALS
SPONSOR: Mays
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Urban Affairs by a vote of 6 to 0.
This bill allows the Raytown board of aldermen to adopt an
ordinance giving it authority to appoint a qualified chief of
police.
FISCAL NOTE: No impact on state funds.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this is a technical bill that
will permit this 4th class city to professionalize the position
of the chief of police. Currently there is divisiveness within
the department due to the current requirements for the position
of police chief. There is a decline in productivity and the
crime rate has increased. This is a career position and the
method to fill this position should reflect such
professionalism. This bill would permit the elected
representatives of the people, the Board of Alderman, to appoint
a professional Chief of Police by the passage of a city
ordinance.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Mays; Mayor Jack
Nesbitt, Raytown; and Kris Turnbow.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Harolyn Light Coffer, Research Analyst