The Roc organization, led by rapper Jay-Z, is suing the Kansas City Police Department on charges of covering up cases of police misconduct.
According to ABC News, the lawsuit was filed in the District Court of Wyandotte County, Kansas on Monday, Sept. 20, and requests access to investigators’ records at the department, as well as details such as training and supervision.
“Previous papers issued under the Kansas Open Records Act were not sufficient,” Team Roc attorney Alex Spiro told the site.
“We can see specific files and how the government has handled certain matters thanks to the Public Records Act, which allows interested parties to view various states and government documents,” said the lawyer.
“The government has tried to block our access to those files, so we’re suing to see what they don’t want us to see.
The KCKPD has agreed to submit documents “relating to the complaints filed against members of the investigation department,” but has declined to submit documents relating to steps the city has taken in response to those complaints, stating including investigations or disciplinary proceedings initiated as a result of the complaints,” according to legal documents the outlet has seen.
The claim was filed by Team Roc in response to activists’ call for the US Department of Justice to investigate the KCKPD following recent allegations of misconduct and discrimination against officers in Kansas City, Kansas.
A police officer was charged with a sex offense against a minor, two officers were charged with a misdemeanor and a misdemeanor against a prisoner, and a black female officer filed a racial and gender discrimination complaint against the department.
“These data help estimate the magnitude of the problem, any possible evidence of a cover-up, as well as probable causes,” Team Roc’s attorneys said.
