KCPD cuts gay members’ health insurance benefits

Last Thursday afternoon, members of the Kansas City Police Department received an e-mail with the subject line: “Police Budget Update.” The “Extra Daily Informant” explained how the department is going to make ends meet with a $15 million cut to the budget that begins May 1.

Chief Jim Corwin, the memo noted, had tapped a 12-person task force earlier in the day to study the numbers and make recommendations to the full Board of Police Commissions later this month. In bold letters, the Daily Informant emphasized: “The following are only examples of some of the proposals. Nothing has been decided.“

Among the cost-cutting possibilities: keeping empty more than 80 vacant positions, holding off on purchasing new vehicles and eliminating the department’s “10th holiday” (the day after Thanksgiving). The e-mail also suggested certain perks, like tuition reimbursement and clothing allowances, are on the chopping block. But, the memo stated, “Both the Chief and Board voiced opposition to cutting any of these benefits.”

The chief and the board have already been decisive about cutting some benefits, though: those of the department’s gay and lesbian members.