TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! BEHIND THE SCENES: KANSAS CITY LAW ENFORCEMENT DEBATE ELECTION OPPOSITION AGAINST INTERIM JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF FORTÉ!!!
It's a truism that members law enforcement rarely speak out against one another. The "thin blue line" is not only championed by supporters of police but also represents another Kansas City code of silence enforced by generations of tradition. Just as police lament lack of involvement from neighborhoods in the fight against crime, activists complain about a refusal from most law enforcement to stand up against colleagues in tense situations.
And all of this brings us to the upcoming Jackson County election of interim Sheriff Forté and his campaign after an appointment by Jackson County Executive Frank White.
Here the sitch more or less . . .
TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! KANSAS CITY LAW ENFORCEMENT GRUMBLING AGAINST SHERIFF FORTÉ IS GROWING LOUDER AND A "BLUE WHISPER" CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE FORMER KCPD CHIEF IS ALREADY UNDERWAY!!!
Remember that Sheriff Forté is no stranger to tough talk from colleagues, in 2016 whilst serving as KCPD Chief, he withstood nearly universal local law enforcement outcry for his comments about police racially profiling and sometimes killing Black men.
But now the debate moves forward and the Sheriff's law enforcement record is finally subject to push back from colleagues.
It's not TKC's place to regurgitate cop gossip but here's a preview of some of the chatter we'll hear as the camapign heats up:
- Private Biz Pushback: Interim Sheriff Forté is more successful in his personal biz dealings than most law enforcement members. This fact of life not only inspires envy but also speculation, rumors and some valid questions. As a potential elected official, expect the interim Sheriff's finances to evoke further scrutiny.
- Retro KCPD Questions - The former Chief fired A LOT of people and forced even more into retirement. Some of those very same folks are now questioning his record and clandestinely making their case to voters.
- Jackson County Cleanup Resistance - The interim Sheriff is campaigning as a reformer but his tactics have already met with opposition. Furthermore, the culture of the Jackson County Sheriff's department is remarkably different than that of the KCPD . . . And so it's fair to say that complaints from within his ranks have already started to emerge.
And so . . .
THERE'S EXISTENTIAL DISPUTE AMONG KCMO LAW ENFORCEMENT REGARDING POLITICAL RESISTANCE TO INTERIM SHERIFF FORTÉ!!!
Current KCPD Chief Smith offered an ambivalent bit of leadership on this front when he recused himself from a committee that would review the appointment of his former boss.
However, consider this . . .
Interim Sheriff Forté is no longer just a member of law enforcement but now seeks PUBLIC OFFICE AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL. As local police increase their activism in governmental affairs, the "thin blue line" of silence is hypocritical in the context of an open and free election. Even tacit support by suppressing public complaints and merely working via back channels offers precedent for an unfair advantage to every former law enforcement official who seeks office. When police venture into the political realm their words are given extra merit because of their dangerous public service. However, the choice to remain silent or even anonymous on the candidacy of one of their own commits a betrayal of public trust in the political judgement of police.
For these reasons and so many more, this TKC post serves as an EXCLUSIVE preview of a more intense public discussion of Jackson County politics than anyone really wants.
You decide . . .
We need forte to clean up the jail and move it out of downtown, that should be the first priority. If he can get that done and show us the plan for it, then he'll have way more support that will make "cop gossip" a non-issue.
ReplyDeleteHe never really answered for the overtime issue as Chief because he went into retirement, really surprised that he continues to evade that question, probably because he has never been asked.
Delete^^^^ KC star stopped asking good questions 5 years ago.
Delete20 years ago
DeleteThis is all well an good but like most KC elections it'll be decided on name recognition and that's all. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteI'll give the Sheriff one thing, at least he's not in trouble for any nasty three way action. It's the county's fault for the scandal they helped to create and let fester. By comparison, forte looks cleaner than anybody else.
DeleteSo what are the differences in culture of the KCPD and the Jackson County Sheriffs office? That jail is a dumpy rape house. They do need a new jail, but where to put it? When I used to pass by that area on my daily walks there was always “baby moma” and other scholars coming and going. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere near the Jackson county jail.
ReplyDeleteThe Sheriff doesn't run the jail.
Deletejust get rid of Forte, he is unqualified o be sheriff and doesn’t want to work. Anyway we get will be better than Forte, because he is so worthless.
ReplyDeleteCan someone ask Forte if males who transition to “females” were are superhero....would they be ex-men or trans-formers?
ReplyDeletewasn't his record pretty bad? don't get it. what am i missing?
ReplyDeleteThat’s a perfect picture with the motorcycles because that’s why he misses so much work, he’s out riding all the time....... going up the country!
ReplyDeleteSo much for a thin blue line and bluelives matter. Notice how these cops never gossip when its a white cop? Just look at Trump and Funkhoser being, born white is more of an indication being unqualified for leadership than anything. To be clear whites dont have a monolopy on competence and leadership in fact most white leaders fail where most minority leaders Excel f*** the cops that want to gossip about and undermine this guy I'm voting for Forte I'm a white guy!
ReplyDeleteSure you are.
DeleteNo, Forte is the ultimate self-serving diversity hire. No more, no less.
I've known Darryl for a very long time, since he joined the department. He has some great qualities, and I used to think we were friends. He has always been paranoid, and I attributed that to his experiences as a young officer with a crappy sergeant. As he moved around the department though he never changed. He thought everyone was out to get him, including Masters and Allen. He talked about them in public like crap. Even with all of that, I felt like he would be a good chief. He routinely ignored his staff, stayed out of the office, and was insubordinate to several members of the BOPC. His departure was heavily anticipated by all.
ReplyDeleteHe manipulated a system to the tune of over 500,000 dollars. It isn't all of his fault though, from what I have been told the BOPC knew what he was doing but felt powerless to stop him.
Jackson County can do much better than a self-serving, paranoid figurehead.
10:22 you don’t have much for brains do you troll?
ReplyDeleteI just cannot vote for him; he is not a good candidate and not so sure about his qualifications nor motivation.
ReplyDeleteThe city minions are pushing Slie's desire to get the jail out of downtown. In Slie's eyes the jail is a stain on downtown and he doesn't want that.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Forte he should not be sheriff. He spends too much time on his motorcycle and his overtime $$ will be detrimental to the county's budget. He definitely has already determined how to game the county's system to get those overtime $$.
His corruption just moved from the city to the county.
To much corruption around Forte as Chief, check out his personal disclosure forms, Forte says he lives at KCPD HQ, Forte lists no business he owns. Forte is said to be as a member of KC'S GANG OF EIGHT, not to mention ties to illegal land sales, covering up crimes as CHIEF that were committed by his own staff at KCPD and cashing in big on overtime pay. NOW, as Sheriff, Forte is lying on campaign disclosure forms as the interim. Unfortunately people will not learn the truth about Forte until after the Primary, leaving voters no other choice but to vote for the Republican Sheriff Candidate, Steve Nixon's buddy, Randy P.
ReplyDeleteI am here to give you the best blow job you ever had Sheriff!
ReplyDeleteForte should stay retired, this will be the job that puts him in the jail he thought he would run.
ReplyDeleteWhat ever happened to that girl sheriff Sharp was banging?
ReplyDeleteForte ruined KCPD so what makes you think he won’t ruin the sheriffs dept? He will, don’t you worry about that.
ReplyDeleteForte like jobs with a large paycheck and require very little work. he is lazy and incompetent but has the predispostion to live off the efforts of other people.
ReplyDelete^^^ he doesn’t do what’s required of him period, he’s only getting these kinds of jobs because he’s black, it has nothing to do with him being competent to do the job. He’s proven already that he can’t.
ReplyDeleteThe question is do they have a cool 500,000.00 for overtime?
ReplyDeleteKcpd is and always has been a shit-hole place to work.
ReplyDeleteMetro Police can no longer be run out of the Capitol in Jefferson City.
ReplyDelete"However, the choice to remain silent or even anonymous on the candidacy of one of their own commits a betrayal of public trust in the political judgement of police."
ReplyDeleteSo . . . We should be silent because he was Blue? No thanks, we'd rather get the facts out there so the voters can make an educated vote.
^^^^ Yeah, @5:59 - That's exactly what he wrote. You're saying the same thing twice. But I notice, like me, you're not signing your comment. Which was I think a big part of the argument. You can't "get the facts out there" in the shadows.
ReplyDeleteThen vote for the guy that got appointed because of his skin & his relationship to Frank White. That makes a WORLD of scense.
DeleteBTW, "Sheriff" Forte' has been immersing himself in the community. What new programs has he implemented? I'll save you the brain fart . . . none.
Nope, nada, cant do it!!!!
ReplyDelete