Recently, I have taken it upon myself to start looking into the Mission Police Department. I have begun seeking the answers that we deserve. Twice in the last couple weeks, I have had the pleasure of sitting down with the Chief of Police. He is a very personable man. The kind of man who never sits across the desk from you, making you feel intimidated just by your being there. He politely listens and gives you his full attention, taking notes of your comments and concerns. All of this began by my trip to the police station several weeks ago to file a request under the Kansas Open Records Act. I filed a request for “All formal complaints filed against any and all Mission Police Officers” during the past 6 years. Under Kansas law, every public agency must have a Freedom of Information Officer. I asked the woman at the window who that would be, and if they were available. She quickly shoved the cover over the opening on the window and turned, all while mumbling something about finding someone to help me with this. I turned to look at the photos on the wall and almost instantly the door swung open, and standing in the doorway was Chief Simmons. He invited me back to his office and asked how he could help. I began with my request, since that was why I was there. I gave my practiced speech, prepared for whatever might follow. Instead he read over the request, sat my request on his desk, and began asking what my concerns really were. I felt very comfortable talking with him, and began voicing the concerns we have all expressed and shared. I began with the excessive traffic stops, the constitutional rights that have been stripped, and the rude manners that seem to run rampant within his department. After an hour of talking, I left feeling confident that there might be light at the end of the tunnel. I had plans for a ride along that next Friday evening and the promise of an honest look at the Mission Police Department. The Tuesday morning before my ride along, I received a phone call from Chief Simmons. He was calling to let me know that the city attorney was denying my request for the records I had requested. I was told that they were denying my request on the grounds that the records were employment records, and therefore protected from disclosure. Chief Simmons said that the attorney was drafting a letter and that I should receive it soon. That was a week ago, and I still have yet to receive the letter. Friday I arrived at the police station about 30 minutes prior to my shift to sign the release, and have my background checked. I was introduced to Lieutenant Lane, and the shift supervisor Tige Dean. About 10 minutes later Officer Hodge came out and got me. He took me to his car and our shift began. We left the station and headed to Quik Trip for a “business welfare check” and a beverage. We left for a quick stroll around town to explain the districts and how to decipher the gibberish I was listening to on the radio. Over the next 8 hours, Officer Hodge gave me the “nickel tour”. Let me say this, Officer Hodge was probably the most personable Officer I have ever interacted with. He never avoided my questions and was always openly informative. I believe Officer Hodge went above and beyond that night, with all there was to work with. We did 3 separate business checks. We made sure all was well at Quik Trip, the bowling alley, and Radio Shack. I was invited to tag along with the officer on all 3 occasions. We also stopped a pedestrian who had left Hobby Lobby quite suspiciously and seemed very disoriented. After running across Johnson Drive against traffic and not in a crosswalk, the woman was stopped. I was left in the car and could only watch through a side mirror on the police car. The woman was left to go about her business without any citations. We returned to Hobby Lobby and again I was allowed to join Officer Hodge into the business. Officer Hodge introduced me to the manager and explained that I was doing a ride along with him. We left Hobby Lobby without any proof of the shoplifting that we had all honestly believed happened right before our eyes. We grabbed a bite at Freebirds that evening between calls. We were dispatched to a civil custody matter earlier and there also I was told to remain in the car. We made 2 traffic stops, both of which I sat in the car for. A call by an individual to 911 also had us racing to respond to a man claiming to be intoxicated and wanting to commit suicide, again although it happened in a parking lot, I was kept in the police car. We did however venture to the jail to pickup a woman who had been arrested for a Mission warrant. I was allowed in the jail with the officer and even carried the restraints for the officer. By the end of the night, I had felt like I was given a good look at the manners and etiquette of the police car, but never allowed to really see any interaction with the public. I don’t believe that I was kept in the car by Officer Hodge’s wishes, but those of the City of Mission. My wife did a ride along in KCMO’s central district on a Friday night, and was never once kept in the car! Decide for yourself what happened. I am still looking to the City of Mission for the records I requested. I am not here to do anything but seek more transparency and answers for the residents of Mission, KS. I still want an open and transparent ride along by the Mission Police Department and hope that they might realize that the involvement by the community is what any city needs. We hold our neighborhoods dear because this is where we raise our families and retire to enjoy our years. We only want to know that OUR city government works in a manner that we the citizens look for. Please become active in the community! This is OUR City of Mission, and she is the responsibility of her citizens. The day we quit being involved, is the day that she can be ran away with!
Posted on: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 05:40:38 +0000
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