In a world full of bad news, we have some good news locally: Tomorrow is Police Chief Rick Smith’s last day in office.
I can’t wait to see him in the rear view mirror — and then not see him ever again. Let’s hope he doesn’t end up with some cushy job like president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission.
His nearly five years as chief have been a certifiable disaster. Consider…
- The department’s reputation has slipped badly on his watch.
- He has unconditionally supported rogue and reckless officers.
- He has ignored Kansas City’s east side and worsened the divide between the department and the Black community.
- He has refused to cooperate with Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker on internal affairs cases where officers deserved to be scrutinized for possible criminal violations of people’s rights.
Let’s look at a couple of the outrageous, specific things he has done.
Minutes after a now-convicted Kansas City police detective fatally shot Cameron Lamb in December 2019, Smith was captured on audio saying “Everyone is good, house is clear. Bad guy’s dead.”
It would have been fine if he’d stopped after the first sentence. But no, Smith, siding as usual with his officers assumed the person who was shot was necessarily in the wrong.
Last November, a Jackson County judge later disagreed, finding Det. Eric DeValkenaere guilty of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action when he fatally shot Lamb, who was Black, in his garage.
DeValkenaere, who is White, was sentenced to three years for manslaughter and three years for armed criminal action. The terms are to be served concurrently, so, unless he prevails on appeal, he will serve at least some prison time, maybe a couple of years.
Then, very recently, The Star reported that Smith was not acting out of genuine concern for human rights when he knelt at Mill Creek Park with Mayor Quinton Lucas and citizens who were protesting the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota.
Star reporters talked with departmental commanders who were at a meeting with Smith last year, when he said, “I may be doing things or saying things, and that may not be my personal beliefs, but I’m gonna do what I need to do that’s best for the department.”
In other words, back the blue regardless of whether they are in the right…or, in the alternative, committing second-degree murder, which a jury found Officer Derek Chauvin guilty of in Floyd’s death.
**
Now, on to Nick Haines…I was stopped cold when I got an email from Kansas City PBS, Channel 19, on Sunday, saying that Haines, of “Kansas City Week in Review,” was going to have a “special edition” on Smith, airing at 7 p.m. tomorrow.
Here’s what the promo said:
“On a special edition of Week in Review, outgoing KC Police Chief Rick Smith swings by the Kansas City PBS studios. He hangs up his badge next week, but before he does, he tells all to Nick Haines.”
I was flabbergasted…”swings by” and “tells all.” What a crock of shit. What a flip way to deal with the retirement of possibly the worst chief Kansas City has ever had.
I immediately fired off an email to Haines, saying:
I hope you’re going to ask him — or, better yet, check for yourself — how much of a payout he’s walking away with. The previous chief, Darryl Forte, walked away in 2017 with a $500,000 windfall in accrued vacation, sick and comp time. Now we’ve got Smith, the most unpopular chief KC has ever had, walking away with, undoubtedly, a huge sum and a record reflecting outright racism. I hope we’ll be seeing a more somber side of you on April 22. I suggest holding the wide smiles.
I admit that “holding the wide smiles” was a bit of a cheap shot, but Haines has always reminded me of the famous, old-time actor Joe E. Brown, who was known for, to quote Wikipedia, his “enormous elastic-mouth smile.”


To his credit, pro that he is, Haines responded more than diplomatically. Here’s what he said:
“Hi Jim — Thanks for reaching out. By the way, I love your blog. In fact, it’s one of only four news related content sites I check every day just to make sure I haven’t missed an update. I’m not kidding. You have an insightful, knowledgeable take on many important issues around town and I am grateful for what you do. As for the police chief, it’s always a balancing act. My job is not to judge him but to understand him. Thanks for the advice on not too “wide a grin.” With regards to his potential retirement windfall, is that really in his control or is he just the benefactor a bad system? Also on this week’s show is Mayor Quinton Lucas. I think it would be more appropriate to direct that question to him.”
…While I applaud Haines’ professionalism, I disagree with his assertion that it’s his job “to understand him.” And I said so. I replied, saying, “There’s no need to try to understand Smith after five years. What we’ve seen and what we’ve heard…says everything.”
And in response to Haines’ suggestion that a likely windfall was the result of “a bad system,” I said: “If it’s a bad system, how else do you plant the seeds for change other than by calling it out — each and every time?”
I concluded with this…
“I don’t envy your assignment here; the guy is the turd in the punch bowl. Most of south Kansas City (meaning south of the river) — and surely all of east Kansas City — will be watching with disgust from the moment he appears.”
**
I’m sure this report will help, to some small degree, pump up viewership of Haines’ show Friday evening. But I doubt I’ll be watching. I’m not the least bit interested in a “tell-all” from a horrible, almost despicable, police chief.
Good riddance.

The Jimmy C, “Quik Trip,” tunnel vision, on display.
Sounds like a Kansan has entered the room.
Amen, brother!!
“I may be doing things or saying things and that may not be my personal beliefs, but I’m gonna do what I need to to do that’s best for the department.”
Wow, says it all
You’re gettin’ out there, Kaler.
Geez, who’re (yikes, that’s tricky) you gonna kick around now? 😗
That “wide smiles” was a bit of a low blow. What’s wrong with a convivial countenance?
Well, my copy editor (you) was off duty when I wrote the story, so I proceeded on gut instinct, which is sometimes not the best course.
🥴
Speaking of the KCPD, I was a little surprised you never commented on this Star editorial: “Thanks for nothing, Mayor Q: Your loss of nerve just cost KC any hope of local control.” In the KCPD budget adopted last month, Lucas did a 180 from his position on police funding he underhandedly pushed through eleven months ago. As the editorial stated: “One council member said real police reform became impossible when Lucas caved. And here we are.”
Well, here we are for the moment, anyway. With Lucas, Lord only knows what will come next.
https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article259724320.html
You’re right, Peavy, Lucas’ inconsistency is maddening.
However…I have to admit I’ve been co-opted. As president of the City of Fountains Foundation, I need the mayor’s help in our project to move the Volker Memorial to a more accessible part of Theis Park — instead of the southern extremity, between the creek and MLK Jr. Blvd.
So, I’ve stopped criticizing him — and I told him so at Fountain Day last year. He laughed.
When it comes to him, I can no longer write “without fear or favor.” I need a favor, and my role as Fountains Foundation leader takes long-term precedence over my blogging opinions.
There you have my confession. I know you’re a “purist,” but I hope you’re not too disappointed.
“Lucas’ inconsistency is maddening.” The alleged “purist” in me feels compelled to note that looks a lot like a criticism. (But, not to worry. I won’t tell him.)
He liked me (I think) and read my blog even while I was pounding him for his failure to come out unconditionally in favor of local control. He’s done that, and, while it may never happen, at least he’s made it clear he hates the governance model.
Also, I think Haines is okay with the post…Our resident conservative commenter, John Altevogt, knows him and is coordinating a midtown lunch among the three of us.
I won’t be able to watch Week in Review tonight, but I’ll try to catch it on replay or stream it.
Just curious: How much will it cost to move the Volker Memorial to a more accessible part of Theis Park? Given all the funding issues facing the city these days, it’s hard for me to imagine the mayor/councilmembers members allocating significant city funds just to move the Volker Memorial across Brush Creek.
It’s a $2 million project, consisting of $1.5 million for design and construction, a $375,000 endowment and $125,000 for cost overruns.
We’ve heard that before — “all the funding issues,” etc. — and we are undaunted. This is a top priority with Parks and Rec and COFF. We aim to correct a 25-year-old mistake — moving the memorial to the southernmost extremity of Theis Park, where it is very difficult to get to (forget it if you’re have a physical disability) and where Mr. Volker’s legacy has languished.
There’s plenty of money in and around KC for capital projects, as well as social problems, like homelessness and a lack of adequate low-income housing.
The fountain and beautiful Carl Milles sculpture of Martin of Tours once served as the centerpiece of Theis Park for nearly four decades, and they will be restored to their rightful place within a few years.
Thank you for the emails. I read them, including the Power Point presentation.
This is one more of those topics where we will just have to agree to disagree. I walked by the Volker Memorial this morning. There were two tents and trash between the memorial and the bridge over Oak Street. At this point, I strongly believe we have to prioritize spending on social issues (such as the homeless population) and infrastructure over projects which might be nice to do, but don’t have an immediate urgency.