Chief Corwin is going to retire in September and that means finding a new leader for the KCPD is a political hot potato that will be debated by a great many people in this town.
TKC Readers tell me that KC Call reporter Eric Wesson has some great thoughts on this topic . . . I haven't read this take yet but I'm going to pick up a copy of The Call right after I finish this post.
Nevertheless . . .
AT THIS POINT KCPD DEPUTY CHIEF KEVIN MASTERS IS THE FRONT RUNNER FOR THE JOB!!!
Most Kansas City political insiders accept this fact.
Here's the "EXCLUSIVE" part of the post . . .
When Chief Corwin won the job years ago, leaders in Kansas City's Black Community were pretty much promised that the next Chief would be an African-American officer.
He'll be KC's First African-American Police Chief . . . Which is a big deal and about time.
In case you were wondering . . . There aren't any Latinos competing for the job given that KCPD has remained woefully inept in promoting and supporting Latino officers to reach the higher ranks. In fact, when it comes to the growing Latino population numbers, the KCPD hasn't come close to reflecting the diversity of this town . . . That's one of many reasons for a recent (2009) Department Of Justice Investigation regarding hiring practices.
So, there simply isn't a Latino candidate for TKC to support given that the department hasn't worked to fill the gap in Latino leadership since Vince Ortega (i.e. "Captain Taco" as described during the election as by The Star) retired years ago.
Also, I hear Masters would be an excellent choice.
Still . . . There's hope for KCPD improvement. KCPD has worked to strenghten outreach in the Latino Community and Spanish Language training for officers will benefit community relations.
Hopefully, the hiring and promotion disparity will be resolved over time.
And while some might be upset about the forgone demographic conclusion of this hire . . . I'm actually hoping that political deals made long ago will still hold up in order to bring about a very real Kansas City Renaissance of minority leadership under the watch of Mayor Sly James.
Developing . . .
Make a world of difference!
ReplyDeleteThank God he's leaving. He was a do nothing Police Chief.
ReplyDeleteA black guy would be able to get the eastside orcs to stop killing each other for sure!!
ReplyDeleteMasters has no chance.
ReplyDeleteIm gonna make a wild prediction... nothing will change on the eastside.
ReplyDeleteKevin Harrell for police chief!
ReplyDeleteHe was the worst police chief in KCPD history.
ReplyDeleteIf the new chief is black, anyone care to take bets on long before Alonzo gets all ass hurt and calls him an Uncle Tom?
ReplyDeleteMasters is a nice guy, and very likable, but I would guess as head of the Investigations Bureau he has his hands full right now given KC's high rate of homicides and violent crime.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have a department with a history of ineptitude why would you promote from within?
ReplyDeleteUnless he is actually from Africa, a more appropriate descriptor a black person is "black". It's pretty ignorant to assume that because someone is black that they are African. That type of amateur thinking belongs in some "ethnic studies 101" brainwashing class.
ReplyDeleteOh great. a bigga nigga gonna put de street nigga in he place! yeah right.
ReplyDeleteFunny how none of the minority commanders on the KCPD could NOT pass the FBI background to take the top U.S. Marshall spot after the last one retired but they can be commanders of our local PD. Better check into that Tony. NOT A SINGLE ONE COULD PASS THE FBI BACKGROUND CHECK.
ReplyDeleteBeth could be chief of police.
ReplyDeleteAlonzo for chief! He has all the tips! So if you have a tip call Alonzo! Alonzo! Black man! Crime solver! Fish sticks!
ReplyDeleteIf race is the primary factor in making this choice, it will be a terrible mistake for the community and an overwhelming burden on whoever is chosen, regardless of what race he or she is.
ReplyDeleteThere are very capable individuals within the department and, for an issue this critical, the search should be expanded nationwide.
This will be a chance to see what the mayor and the police board are really made of. Will it be clingling to the past with people like Al Brooks, or working for the future?
Yeah. He hasn't hired anyone for his staff from the South (As in southern US) yet so maybe start there.
ReplyDeleteKansas City should bring somebody from OUTSIDE KCPD and try to get the police department back on course. If the City hires from WITHIN it's going to be the same old crap.
ReplyDeleteWow this post is so far off the mark. Get your facts straight TKC. Masters doesn't have a chance in hell. What a remarkable job he's done in Investigations... I am hoping for an outsider to become chief as I know a great number of KCs finest are as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree Kansas City needs an outsider to bring some new blood and insight into KCPD.
ReplyDeleteKCPD is lagging behind in new ideas and new techniques.
LAPD hired from outside the department and it made a world of difference. Brought in fresh idea with out a history of owing political favors from without and within.
Get rid of the good ole boy network.
9:23 You are absolutely INCORRECT!
ReplyDelete9:23 is right.
ReplyDeletePeople just want to be effective. We don't care what color skin the police chief has.
ReplyDeleteTracy Ward for chief!
ReplyDeleteWow, no Latino commanders. Maybe because they either don't want the job of being a police officer, or don't want to be promoted. To be a commander you have to participate in the process, which is voluntary. You don't just get promoted but have to compete for the position of Sgt and Capt. Then you get selected for further promotions. Why aren't the Latinos competing/ or applying for the job to begin with?
ReplyDeleteMost Mexicans are to stupid to pass the test . And Masters will not be the new Chief .
ReplyDeleteAnon 12:17 PM
ReplyDeleteYou used 'to' when you meant 'too'.
Has there ever been a Native American chief of police?
ReplyDelete@9:23 only one African American from the police department applied for the position and she was a woman. Further the reason that she was not appointed to the position was purely political via Claire McCaskill. It had nothing to do with the one person submitted by Cleaver for the post. You don't know what you are talking about.
ReplyDeleteIs the position being advertised per the Equal Opportunity Act so outside personnel can apply?
ReplyDelete1:20 -- where in Africa was she from? Or do you mean she was black?
ReplyDeleteLeave it to Byron to pollute the comments about any perceived slight to his beloved Mexico. And when he has nothing to say, whine about grammar on an anonymous forum. News flash, this isn't a Mexican spelling bee.
ReplyDeleteByron just exposed your ignorance. Good for him. Ignorance can be cured.
ReplyDeleteMy only hope is that the police are more tolerant than some of these comments.
1:51 she was from Caucasionville. There is no race of people called "black". Black is not a race or nationality. Her ancestors trace back from Africa which makes her an African American. No more than white is.
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhahahaha....niggas gonna fuck up everythang!!! hahahaha!!!!
ReplyDeleteMasters is a nice guy, but has baggage. So far he is one of the few commanders to have ever received discipline. If the dept promotes from within I would bet on Forte.
ReplyDeleteSo do NOT care what color the new chief is.
ReplyDeleteDO care about competence--being able to do the job.
Go outside KCPD.
Hire Chuck Norris
ReplyDeleteActually, most KCPD members are ok with an outside Chief, as long as he/she is good. Tony, your contacts are wrong however, Masters is toast. Too much baggage which has skillfully been kept out of public view, but the Board of Commissioners will see all when it comes time to pick. Forte has been a stand-up guy all along and actually is a solid pick who would be popular with the rank and file. What you need to understand is that the Call has NO ZERO NADA insight into the department or what is coming down the pipe. No one talks to them, all their contacts are minority city council members, and the council gets no input on this pick. Also, if your contacts are based at City Hall, they really don't get a pick beyond the mayor, who has a seat on the Board. This one is coming strictly from the Board of Commissioners, so if your tipsters aren't placed there or high up in the PD, it's a guess.
ReplyDeletePrediction - Forte will be the best Chief this City has seen since Clarence Kelly!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou all heard it here first.....