The Kansas City Missouri Police Department is pleased to announce the deployment of body-worn cameras. The cameras not only will record evidence but also promote accountability, transparency and professionalism by documenting officer conduct and interactions with the public.
Who has Body-Worn Cameras?
Due to equipment availability and the time needed to install the equipment, the Department implemented body-worn cameras in phases. The first cameras were deployed to patrol officers beginning in October 2020 in the North, Shoal Creek and Central Patrol Divisions. All KCPD patrol officers were outfitted with the cameras by April 22, 2021. The Department also has received a grant to deploy cameras to detectives in investigative elements, which will be the next phase of the project.
Body-Worn Camera Policy
Department members met for months with community stakeholders and local, state and federal prosecutors to develop the policy. They also consulted best practices and policies from other law enforcement agencies. You can read the full policy.
Video Requests
Go to the report and video request page to request video from a body-worn camera.
How Can I See Body-Worn Camera Video?
KCPD and prosecutors are committed to being transparent with the body worn camera program. We will release video to the public when allowed by law. Under Missouri’s Sunshine Law, (Subsection 2[2]) BWC footage involving a possible crime is closed during the investigation and until the criminal case is concluded, unless a court orders otherwise. Missouri law allows any person or entity—including KCPD or a prosecutor—to ask a judge to release closed BWC footage. In some instances, if the court authorizes release of BWC footage, KCPD or prosecutors must give ten days’ notice to people shown in the footage prior to releasing it, and those people can object to its release. For these reasons, it will often take time before BWC footage can be released to the public.
Body-Worn Camera Funding
KCPD has asked for body-worn cameras and video storage in its requested budget for several years, but public funds were not available to purchase them. The community requested the cameras in the summer of 2020. The DeBruce Foundation – in cooperation with the Police Foundation of Kansas City – made donations to fund their purchase.