When did Kansas City police come under state control? The answer dates back to the Civil War

Supporters of state control say the system was established to limit political influence on the police department in the 1930s. But the 150-year history of state control dates back to the Civil War.
Kansas City is the only major city that lacks control over its own police department. The oft-stated rationale for state control is to prevent local partisan politics from interfering with the workings of the department. Champions of the unusual setup often cite the political corruption under the Pendergast political machine in the 1930s as a rationale.

But the system of state control has not made the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) immune to controversies — political or otherwise.

From a highly criticized police chief hiring process earlier this month, to complaints from Mayor Quinton Lucas regarding fiscal responsibility, a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into allegedly racist hiring practices and perennial brutality lawsuits, many Kansas City advocates, politicians and voters have been outspoken about the department’s lack of accountability.