Kansas City Police Department Exposed: Secret List of Misconduct Reveals Years of Corruption and Abuse
The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department has been rocked by a major breach that exposed its secret list of officers with credibility issues, including allegations of dishonesty, sexual harassment, excessive force, and false arrest. The leaked documents, obtained by the media outlet WIRED and corroborated by KCUR, reveal a disturbing picture of corruption and abuse within the department.
The Giglio List, as it is known, is a roster of officers whose credibility may be compromised due to past misconduct. The list was created after a 2011 undercover sting operation that caught three officers stealing video games and cash from a rented house. In an interview with investigators, one of the implicated officers singled out another officer, Jeff Gardner, who had a history of misconduct, including smashing TVs during raids and swiping bagels.
Despite this warning, prosecutors declined to press charges against Gardner, citing his credibility issues. However, the department's internal investigation found that he was added to the Giglio List due to a 1978 incident involving the death of a man who died after being struck with a nightstick by Golubski, another officer on the list.
Other officers on the list have been accused of far more serious misconduct, including falsifying police reports, domestic violence, and excessive force. Some were quickly fired for misconduct but later reinstated or promoted to higher positions.
Seventeen officers still work in the department or have risen through the ranks, despite their credibility issues. Former Officer Chris Johnson was placed on the list after admitting to having sex with a confidential informant he recruited. Former Officer Curtis Murphy was accused of making sexual advances on a domestic violence victim and was also added to the list.
The leak of the Giglio List is part of a larger trend of law enforcement agencies being targeted by ransomware gangs, which have stolen sensitive data from departments across the country. The Kansas City Police Department's breach is one of the most extensive, with over 1 terabyte of records spanning decades.
The department's failure to disclose this information raises serious questions about its commitment to transparency and accountability. As retired KCKPD detective Max Seifert said, "There are names that should be on that list, that I felt were worthy of criminal prosecution or deserved to be criminally prosecuted."
The implications of the Giglio List are far-reaching, with prosecutors facing pressure to disclose information about officers with credibility issues. As Stephen McAllister, a former US Attorney in Kansas, said, "If you're a juror, you're being asked to make a serious decision—one that could send someone to prison for life. You have to be sure, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the person is guilty."
The leak of the Giglio List is a shocking revelation of corruption and abuse within the Kansas City Police Department. As the department continues to grapple with the fallout, it remains to be seen how many officers on the list will face consequences for their actions.
The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department has been rocked by a major breach that exposed its secret list of officers with credibility issues, including allegations of dishonesty, sexual harassment, excessive force, and false arrest. The leaked documents, obtained by the media outlet WIRED and corroborated by KCUR, reveal a disturbing picture of corruption and abuse within the department.
The Giglio List, as it is known, is a roster of officers whose credibility may be compromised due to past misconduct. The list was created after a 2011 undercover sting operation that caught three officers stealing video games and cash from a rented house. In an interview with investigators, one of the implicated officers singled out another officer, Jeff Gardner, who had a history of misconduct, including smashing TVs during raids and swiping bagels.
Despite this warning, prosecutors declined to press charges against Gardner, citing his credibility issues. However, the department's internal investigation found that he was added to the Giglio List due to a 1978 incident involving the death of a man who died after being struck with a nightstick by Golubski, another officer on the list.
Other officers on the list have been accused of far more serious misconduct, including falsifying police reports, domestic violence, and excessive force. Some were quickly fired for misconduct but later reinstated or promoted to higher positions.
Seventeen officers still work in the department or have risen through the ranks, despite their credibility issues. Former Officer Chris Johnson was placed on the list after admitting to having sex with a confidential informant he recruited. Former Officer Curtis Murphy was accused of making sexual advances on a domestic violence victim and was also added to the list.
The leak of the Giglio List is part of a larger trend of law enforcement agencies being targeted by ransomware gangs, which have stolen sensitive data from departments across the country. The Kansas City Police Department's breach is one of the most extensive, with over 1 terabyte of records spanning decades.
The department's failure to disclose this information raises serious questions about its commitment to transparency and accountability. As retired KCKPD detective Max Seifert said, "There are names that should be on that list, that I felt were worthy of criminal prosecution or deserved to be criminally prosecuted."
The implications of the Giglio List are far-reaching, with prosecutors facing pressure to disclose information about officers with credibility issues. As Stephen McAllister, a former US Attorney in Kansas, said, "If you're a juror, you're being asked to make a serious decision—one that could send someone to prison for life. You have to be sure, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the person is guilty."
The leak of the Giglio List is a shocking revelation of corruption and abuse within the Kansas City Police Department. As the department continues to grapple with the fallout, it remains to be seen how many officers on the list will face consequences for their actions.