Racial equity commission calls on Kansas lawmakers to ban 'no-knock' warrants

TOPEKA — A commission tasked with examining race-related issues in Kansas is urging lawmakers to consider changes to police officer training, a ban on no-knock warrants and increased data collection by law enforcement.

The governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice first report included 60 recommendations requiring action from different levels of government. The report was submitted to Gov. Laura Kelly early in December and may be considered in the upcoming legislative session.

In the first of three annual reports, the commission focused its attention on a lack of data within the state and interactions between minorities and law enforcement.

“This first report was really a focus on the criminal justice system and law enforcement because we know that studies have found nationally Black drivers are more likely to be stopped by police than white drivers and 2.5 times more likely to be killed by law enforcement,” said Tiffany Anderson, superintendent of Topeka Public Schools and co-chair of the commission. “We also know that Kansas is not immune to this, so it was with this background with the commission came together.”

Read more: https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/29/racial-equity-commission-calls-on-kansas-lawmakers-to-ban-no-knock-warrants/