SB 874 -- KANSAS CITY POLICE OFFICER REGULATIONS

SPONSOR:  Shields (Pratt)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Local
Government by a vote of 12 to 4.

This bill repeals provisions of law which currently prohibit any
Kansas City police officer from:

(1)  Belonging to a committee of a political party;

(2)  Soliciting a person to vote for or against any political
candidate;

(3)  Making or soliciting contributions of any kind for political
activity; or

(4)  Allowing any solicitation for political contributions on
police department property.

The provision which prohibits any person from soliciting a police
officer or a member of the police board for any political purpose
is also repealed.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that they are only asking that Kansas
City police officers be given the same opportunities under state
law to engage in the political process that all other police
departments in the state enjoy.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Shields; Kansas City Police
Officers Association; and Missouri State Lodge Fraternal Order of
Police.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that it is bad public
policy to politicize the police department, and it may affect the
public's perception of police officers, who should be trusted.

Testifying against the bill were Kansas City Police Board; and
Board of Police Commissioners.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:46 am