Kansas City police follow protest policy adopted after George Floyd’s death
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Kansas City Police Department has a specific policy to follow during the No Kings Day demonstration, and other rallies and protests held in the city.
The department adopted the policy in April 2021, nearly a year after the death of George Floyd. Thousands of people across the country marched and protested Floyd’s death at the hands of white police officers.
The department’s policy establishes written guidelines and procedures for officers and employees when of the public are participating in activities that are protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution.
First Amendment
The First Amendment protects the rights of people and groups to demonstrate, march, protest, and rally in public places, including:
- City Streets
- City Sidewalks
- Public Parks
The gatherings must be peaceful and present little threat to public safety.
KD Policy Regarding First-Amendment Assembly
The policy calls for police to be impartial and avid treating anyone with favoritism, regardless of:
- race
- color
- national origin
- limited English proficiency
- sex
- sexual orientation
- gender identity
- age
- religion
- disability
- economic status
It also calls for officers to “courteously” enforce laws appropriately while working to get maximum cooperation from the public.
The policy also outlines specific guidelines for actions officers and employees will not take, including:
- Infringing on an individual’s right to lawfully assemble and associate with others
- Allow personal feelings, animosities, friendships to influence their official conduct
- Intentionally escalate tensions gathering during an active assembly
- Only make an arrest if someone poses a genuine threat of immediate violence
The policy calls for the police department to minimise any displays of force, including armored vehicles and personal protective equipment when it can be safely minimized.
Unlawful Assembly
If a peaceful assembly turns disruptive, or violent, police commanders will work to gradually restore order.
The policy states police will “make all reasonable efforts to allow participants to continue to exercise their rights. Officers will instead focus on the people who are actively violating the law.
The policy also points out that there will be some situations where police will need to enforce immediate procedures to stop the assembly.
If officers feel a demonstration or gathering has reached a dangerous level, dispersal orders will be given after a commander identifies the following:
- No less than 7 participants are engaging with force or violence in violation of state or federal law
- There is a clear and present danger of riot, immediate violence or other threat
- No reasonable likelihood that voluntary compliance or targeted enforcement will end the violence
- State of Emergency has been declared
The entire eight-page Kansas City Police Department policy can be found below.
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