On February 26 2003, thirteen members of the police department went to the state capitol to ask our senators to support SB 241 to eliminate the residency law for KCMO police officers. During the hearing Senator Wheeler asked Senator Matthewson to make a motion to drop Kansas City Police Officers from the bill. Therefore, when the bill was passed out of committee Kansas City had been removed.

During the ensuing week there was a groundswell of support from members of the department to eliminate the residency law for Kansas City Police Officers. This caused quite a stir at the capitol and it gained the attention of the lawmakers who received the many e-mails, phone calls, letters and visits.

On March 5 2003, John Blomquist, Jack Henry, Loretta Morton, Dave Reyburn, Brent Marchant, and Tim Smith met with the Kansas City Representative Caucus. This was arranged by the POA lobbyist. The representatives were very receptive to our reasons for eliminating the residency law. We gained momentum and with the continued support from all the department members we were collectively making a difference. We continued to work hard to gain support from all senators and representatives in regard to this issue.

During the 2003 Legislative Session "grassroots" effort by the Kansas City officers and the KCFOP were stymied when Kansas City officers were stripped by legislators from the proposed residency legislation being supported by St Louis POA, the Grassroots KCPD effort, and the KCFOP, which would have outlawed residency requirements for police in Missouri. Efforts were then renewed by the KCFOP when President Tim Smith approached Representative Jason Brown to sponsor legislation removing the requirement under state law that Kansas City police officers must reside within the city limits.

Kansas City officers were the only officers in the State of Missouri who were required by state law to live within the city. During the 2003 session the state residency law was successfully repealed by the KCFOP with Rep Brown's amended language in [SB5-2003] that also designated the BOPC as being the entity in having sole authority to determine working conditions of working conditions for Kansas City Police Officers. Now officers are only required to live within the city by policy. Efforts are now being made to express the need for our officers to have the option of living outside the city.

During the 2004 Legislative Session Senator Mary Bland introduced [SB925-2004]. This legislation would require all Kansas City Police Officers to reside within the city limits of Kansas City, Missouri and add the requirement that all prospective candidates for the police department live in the city for one year prior to being hired. This legislation was opposed by the KCFOP. Brent Marchant testified against it's passage in Senate Hearing in behalf of the KCFOP and the bill never left Committee. The KCFOP must remain vigilant against efforts to place residency back into law and again make the Kansas City Police Department the only city police department in Missouri with a statutory residency requirement.

For information on how the Missouri Municipal League stands on residency and what they do to further their interests in regard to the matter refer to their article posted in MML's own website in 2002 Here and in 2004 Here. The MML also does not like police officers having due process rights and they track any attempts at achieving that goal as is also evidenced in the 2004 article Here.

We are professional police officers with college degrees, military backgrounds, technical skills and many hours of training. We serve the citizens of Kansas City with pride and dedication. As such, we believe it only makes sense that unfair and outdated laws be eliminated. I believe the citizens receive great police service. The residency rule does not contribute in any way to this great service. Much time is spent meeting and planning about how to repeal this outdated law. I have never heard anyone meeting or planning on how to keep this law nor I have heard any valid points as to why it still exists.

The City Managers Office of Kansas City, Missouri has stated that there would be no financial impact if the residency rule was eliminated.

The residency rule does hurt our ability to recruit and retain members.

Living outside the city does not make us less professional or less dedicated to our duties. Numerous officers have won national awards and have been recognized by the neighborhoods they serve without living in or close to them. What does count is the hard work, professional demeanor and effort our members demonstrate on a daily basis.

Let the City Council Members and Police Commissioners know that residency affects more than department members. This rule affects families who care for elderly or sick parents. Many live in the outlying areas but due to the long drives, care cannot be given on a daily basis. Even those in nursing homes or those in need of other types of medical help still need families to provide support.

How many single parents would benefit from a better family support system if they could live closer to their families. This is especially true for our members who work watch I, watch III and weekends.

Many qualified members have to pass on applying for job opportunities within the department and promotions as they have no family support system in the city. One member I know could have had a parent watch their child instead of a daycare provider. But due to residency the travel distance was too great for the parents to provide this care. How much quality care was missed and how much money was spent on a needless expense. This is only one example.

The makeup of families do and will change for many members during the course of their careers. The extra stress and burden can be reduced for many by eliminating this outdated law. This stress is added to the stress many sworn members face each day. Our families must also face potential reprisals from criminals who we have taken action against in the line of duty.

This rule affects the careers and job possibilities of those who are married to department members. Career opportunities have to be contemplated with the residency law dictating the place of employment due to travel and distance issues.

We currently have civilian employees in some positions who have been exempted from any residency requirements. Should law enforcement officers be discriminated against within the same agency?.

Yes, we knew the residency requirement when we joined the organization but life experiences, families and many other things will change during a 25 to 30 year career.

For an example of the Missouri Municipal League's stand and action taken against residency click here to see one of their legislative alerts on residency. This is but one of the ways the MML works behind the scenes and it's members side-step culpability by having their lobbyists and employees act in behalf of the mml, funded by public tax-based monies, and avoiding the negative political impact of their actions. For an overview of the Missouri MML and it's ongoing efforts against FOP legislative activities click here.

We ask that everyone contact their Council Members and Police Commissioners in a professional manner to gain their support for eliminating the residency rule for all sworn members of our department. This should also be done by family members, friends, business owners, and neighbors. All department members need to be registered voters. All unregistered members need to register as soon as possible.

Click HERE for email addresses for your City Council Members.

Click HERE to obtain a voter registration form from the Federal Elections Commission.
or
Click HERE to obtain a voter registration form from the Missouri Secretary of State.

Click HERE to find your local area election boards.