For Immediate Release
Dec. 27, 2024
In a first-of-its-kind report, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office raised multiple questions and offered potential improvements in the law enforcement system that weighs officer-involved shootings of civilians, even in instances when criminal charges are not legally supported, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
“The concept of reviewing and addressing an officer-involved shooting beyond criminal charges is novel,” writes Baker in the introduction of the new report, titled “The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office Notable Event Review of the Fatal Shooting of Donnie Sanders.”
” It is also necessary, however,” Baker said, “if we are to effect change to process and policies that govern these incidents.”
Sanders was fatally shot the evening of March 12, 2020, as he fled on foot near 51st and Wabash from a lone police officer who first attempted to pull Sanders’ car over for a minor traffic violation. Sanders was unarmed; the officer stated he thought Sanders was reaching for a firearm.
“The goal should be determining how each person in this encounter could go home safely,” Baker stated. “Sanders did not go home safely. Such a stark outcome impairs the community’s confidence in its police department, especially when no criminal charges are filed, and the officer remains employed with the police department.”
The Notable Event Report, Baker noted, was conceived at a time when progress is being made in the law enforcement system regarding officer-involved shootings. Medals are no longer routinely given to officers involved in such fatal encounters. And body cameras and other improvements are now widely accepted and used. It should be noted that KCPD officers were involved in only one fatal shooting this year.
”My hope is that readers will review this report from the perspective of how we can collectively improve,” Baker continued. “Improvement should be sought for all system actors. And all actors should demonstrate a willingness to promote a police department that is less deadly and a prosecutor’s office that is more just.”
This report was initiated more than a year ago and was facilitated by the prosecutor’s office Community Advisory Board (CAB). Members on the CAB and prosecutor’s office staff participated in the inquiry and the writing of the report. In addition, the prosecutor’s office released publicly today, along with the report, a short video prepared on the Notable Event Review.
Among the report’s recommendations: Discourage pretextual stops that often turn into violent encounters with citizens, consider ways, including establishment of a citizen review board, to build new community confidence in the Office of Community Complaints, and establish a liaison officer to assist families of persons killed by a KCPD officer. The report also strongly details how false narratives, promoted by law enforcement and community, have built distrust in the system of evaluating and considering these tragic incidents.
For more information, contact:
Michael Mansur
Director of Communication
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor
(816) 881-3812
(816) 674-3954
mmansur@jacksongov.org
https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com