KCPD CHIEF OUT AMID VERDICTS AGAINST POLICE & OUTRAGE!?!

Tonight's topic for debate . . . The Kansas City top cop calling it quits. 

OR retiring when he said he would five years ago . . .

After a decision to exonerate a convicted murderer today and the much more important guilty verdict in the Cameron Lamb killing wherein an officer confronted a historic decision of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action . . . The Chief is on his way out according to insiders. 

Here's the word . . .

KCPD CHIEF SMITH WANTED TO HANG ON UNTIL MARCH BUT ACTIVISTS AND POLITICOS DEMANDED HIS RESIGNATION LETTER BEFORE CHRISTMAS!!! ONE WAY OR ANOTHER HE'S OUT IN 2022!!!

And yeah, our readers and KICK-ASS BLOG COMMUNITY predicted this last Friday when we noted that community leaders would be emboldened by court decisions. 

A few thoughts for consideration . . . 

- The Chief has already served about the average tenure for most Kansas City Police Department leaders. We didn't think he'd make it through 2020, nevertheless, he stood steadfast amid metro-wide arguments for his resignation.

- The note from police:  “As per his commitment, he plans to retire sometime in the upcoming year, 2022,” a police spokesperson wrote. “He will announce that date well in advance to ensure a smooth transition for the police department.”

- Pro-police supporters didn't help his case with FAILED RECALL EFFORTS. The Summer pro-police rallies were impressive and drew national attention. But a failure to enlist a little less than 4,000 voters against unlikable council dude Eric Bunch revealed their crusade didn't have the community support & organizational skills required. 

- Amid an ongoing cultural shift, the Cameron Lamb verdict was more than enough to bring down any police chief in the nation. 

And so . . . 

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE TIMELY RETIREMENT?!?

There's a bit of overrated blog chatter behind the newspaper paywall which claims the "police board had the votes" but let's be realistic here . . . The top cop served an average tenure, basically hung it up before the holidays and wanted to retire anyhoo . . . Now, what's important is the next person to get the job.

Updated with news links FOLLOWING TKC coverage . . .

Rick Smith out as chief of Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department in 2022

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Within months, the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department will no longer have Rick Smith at the helm. KCPD Public Information Officer Leslie Foreman said Smith will retire "sometime in the upcoming year." Foreman said Smith will announce a date in advance "to ensure a smooth transition."

Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith to step down in 2022

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Days after one of his officers was convicted of manslaughter, Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith announced he is retiring in 2022. Smith confirmed the news to FOX4's John Holt on Tuesday afternoon. A specific date for his retirement was not provided.

KCPD: Chief Smith 'plans to retire sometime in the upcoming year'

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- The chief of the Kansas City Police Department will announce his retirement "sometime in the upcoming year," according to the police department. KCTV5 News reached out to the police department in light of reporting from another media outlet on Tuesday evening.

A moment of doubt . . .

Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith denies report he's being forced to resign

Kansas City, Missouri, Police Chief Rick Smith is apparently being forced to resign, according to a report in the Kansas City Star.The Star cited a meeting Tuesday morning between Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, a member of the board of police commissioners, and Chief Smith.All this comes four days after

Per ushe KCUR is last to the story and they're attempting to make it more interesting but the Chief is, in fact, giving it up in 2022 . . . Even according to this report . . . 

Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith is being pushed out, but says he's 'not going anywhere'

Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith, whose four years of leadership saw violent street protests, high homicide rates and calls for his resignation, will reportedly step down next year. During a Tuesday morning meeting with Mayor Quinton Lucas and the chairman of the Board of Police Commissioners, Smith agreed to retire on March 31, 2022, according to a source familiar with the situation.

As always we turn the topic over to our blog community after we've made sense of the noise and chatter.

LAST UPDATE: In this post we sort out the FAKE NEWS from the real deal. 

You decide . . .