Senator Mike Bernskoetter

6th Senatorial District

For Immediate Release: 

Aug 1, 2024

Capitol Building, Room 416

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Contact Kenny Ross: 

 573-751-2076

Breaking Down Amendment 4

Following up on last week, I would like to talk about the other amendment to our state constitution that will be on the August Primary ballot – Amendment 4. If passed, Amendment 4 would allow the General Assembly to increase the mandated minimum funding level for any police force established by a state board of police commissioners before 2027. The only such police force that qualifies under this definition is the Kansas City Police Department. Basically, Amendment 4 would allow the General Assembly to tell Kansas City that it must increase its funding of the Kansas City Police Department.

Kansas City is the only place in Missouri where the police department is controlled by a state appointed police board. This is a setup that has prevailed in Kansas City for nearly 100 years. This system was put in place to limit corruption in the police department. To this date this situation has been largely supported by the people of Kansas City, and this unique situation gives the state a large voice in the policing of Kansas City. This amendment is the final piece of that setup and will allow the General Assembly to increase the mandated minimum amount of funding the Kansas City Police receive every year to do their job.

I am in support of this amendment. There is no question that Missouri, and the nation, is grappling with an increase in crime. This has been especially true in major urban areas, and I am always in favor of measures that support law enforcement. To be very clear, I think we need more police on our streets, not fewer. I think our police and sheriffs’ departments are doing an amazing job with the resources they have, but I believe that every community in our state would be better served with more quality trained and equipped law enforcement officers working to protect and serve.

I also believe that we can and should pay our officers more. We ask an enormous amount out of our police and our first responders in general, and the compensation for risking their lives should reflect that. They keep our streets safe and prevent our families from coming to harm. When there is danger they head in that direction instead of running away from it. I want to help them wherever and however we can.

Kansas City is a crucial part of our state. It is one of our gateway cities, along with St. Louis, for people and businesses who come to Missouri. I very much believe if St. Louis and Kansas City are successful, safe and prosperous cities it will only benefit those of us who live in the rural and outstate portions of Missouri. To ensure Kansas City is successful, it needs a strong and robust police department that can protect its citizens and the people who visit that city. Amendment 4 will ensure the Kansas City Police Department has the resources it needs to fulfill its duty to keep their city safe. Please join me in voting in favor of Amendment 4 in August.

Please feel free to contact my office at 573-751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.