UMKC students march inside Student Union demanding university accountability of new campus police chief

 UMKC students rallied on campus against the hiring decision of UMKC Chief of Police Daniel Graves on May 5 at 12 p.m., demanding a statement from the university and termination of his position.

  The demonstration involved a march of about 15 students into the UMKC Student Union during lunch hours, gaining traction of others outside the protest.

  “We hope to show that we demand safety,” said Briar Kraft, a freshman in criminal justice and political science. “We demand that the chancellor take accountability for what is going on at the university. And most importantly, we again demand that we listen because ultimately, what is UMKC without the students?”

  Ashton Gray, a biology freshman and rally speaker, stated concerns about Graves, who viewed the prosecution of former detective Eric DeValkenaere as “politically motivated.” Gray added that law enforcement was not historically designed to protect marginalized communities and continues to target them disproportionately.

  “[It] is snowballing into whether or not I choose to stay in the UM system,” Gray said. “I don’t want to continue to spend $20,000 a semester going to a university that does not value the same things I value.”

  Callum Grayson, a history sophomore and a member of Roos Against ICE, expressed similar sentiments.

  “The hiring of Daniel Graves goes along a similar trend where they make decisions on the basis of political advantage and not actually thinking about what their students need and what will make their students safer,” Grayson said.

  On April 29, the UMKC police department reached out to YDSA to “coordinate support” for the rally. However, Kraft stated they declined to respond. 

  “We are unwilling to work with the department because they are unwilling to cooperate with us,” Kraft said.

  Misha Smith, 49, and community engagement manager of Law Enforcement Accountability Project (KCLEAP), said they attended after following the Graves story. They added that their organization played a role in helping Lamb’s family pursue the conviction of DeValkenaere.

  “How can anyone feel safe when someone is a part of law enforcement on a campus, where the students are knowing that they supported someone who was convicted of murder?” Smith said. “It shows where their priorities are, and it makes you wonder – when they’re on campus, what will their priorities be?”

  Students stated plans to meet with Chief Graves on May 6 at 8 a.m. to address the letter of support for DeValkenaere.

[email protected]