80 Years Post-Pendergast, Kansas City Mayoral Hopefuls Wonder If Local Control Of Police Is Worth It
Kansas City, Missouri, is the only major city in the country that does not control its own police department. Regaining that control from the state may be a big issue for Kansas City’s next mayor — if they decide it’s worth the effort.
The city lost control of its police department because of rampant corruption. In 1932, boss Tom Pendergast’s political machine challenged Missouri law to regain local control of the police department. It only lasted seven years.
Kansas City and St. Louis’ department had been under state control since the years after the Civil War.
Kansas City historian Monroe Dodd said Pendergast effectively ran the police out of his office on Main Street. He says police wages were kept low back then — so officers would be more likely to accept bribes.
https://www.kcur.org/post/80-years-post-pendergast-kansas-city-mayoral-hopefuls-wonder-if-local-control-police-worth-it
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