Ballot question to determine funding for Missouri police

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

This November, voters will decide on the future of police funding in Missouri.

Amendment 4 would give power to lawmakers to decide how much funding local police departments can get from their municipalities. While supporters say this would benefit police departments, opponents are concerned it may be government overreach.

If passed, it would amend the Missouri Constitution to allow state lawmakers to increase the minimum funding for a police force established by the state board of police commissioners. The only police force this would currently impact is the Kansas City Police Department.

State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer (R-Parkville) introduced this amendment.

“This legislation will stop future radical attempts by the city council to defund the KCPD and ensure the brave men and women of law enforcement have the resources they need to keep our community safe,” Luetkemeyer said in a press release.

Gwen Grant, of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, said she stands against Amendment 4, not because she is against police funding, but because she believes in small government.

"We believe that local budget decisions should be decided by our local elected officials and not dictated by legislatures from all across the state," Grant said.

Grant said every city in Missouri could be impacted by this vote.

"If you live in Columbia, Missouri, you should be concerned," Grant said. "If you're in Cape Girardeau, you should be concerned.

"Any city in Missouri should be concerned about this legislation. If you do it to Kansas City, you can do it to any other city in the state."