Jay-Z’s social justice initiative, Team ROC, has filed a lawsuit against the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. The lawsuit, filed on November 19, alleges a failure to release records concerning decades-long allegations of police misconduct and civil rights violations.
Allegations of Misconduct and Record Withholding Spark Legal Action
Team ROC accuses the KCKPD of not complying with the Kansas Open Records Act, claiming significant delays and inadequate responses to their record requests. Dania Diaz, managing director of Team ROC, expressed frustration over the lack of transparency. “This filing is because human beings with badges have betrayed the public’s trust,” she said. “That type of behavior must be held to a standard.”
The legal action comes after a year of attempts to obtain records related to police misconduct. According to Team ROC, the organization initially agreed to pay over $2,200 for requested documents. However, the 225 records they received were mostly administrative, such as officer shift logs, with no substantive information on alleged misconduct.
History of Alleged Corruption
The Kansas City Police Department has faced increasing scrutiny over the years. Activists and civil rights organizations have called for investigations into the department’s handling of minority and immigrant communities. The lawsuit alleges, “For decades, communities in Kansas City, Kansas—particularly minority and immigrant communities—have been subjected to an alarming pattern of abuse and other serious misconduct by the KCKPD.”
The department’s reputation was further damaged in 2022 when former KCKPD detective Roger Golubski was charged with federal civil rights crimes. He was accused of sexually exploiting Black women and framing individuals for crimes. Team ROC played a key role in advocating for his investigation, shedding light on broader systemic issues within the department.
The lawsuit seeks judicial intervention to compel the release of withheld documents. “Rather than promoting a culture of transparency and accountability,” the filing states, “the KCKPD has a long history of turning a blind eye to—or even covering up—abusive and corrupt conduct.”
The Unified Government and the KCKPD have yet to provide a formal response. Team ROC hopes the lawsuit will force accountability and promote reforms within Kansas City’s law enforcement system.