The Newton Police Department seeks to maintain a partnership with the community in an effort to reduce crime and to enhance the quality of life. These goals are best accomplished through positive and open communication and the development of public trust, including engagement of a Law Enforcement Advisory Panel. 

Purpose

1. To advise in policy development, education, community outreach, and communications related to bias-based policing by law enforcement officers and agencies of the City.
2. To receive, review, and provide feedback to the Chief of Police on complaints related to bias-based law enforcement actions.

Composition

LEAP is composed of five members appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the majority of the City Commission. The composition of the panel shall include representation from the faith-based community, a racial justice organization, a mental health professional, and two at-large members that represent Newton’s diversity. Members serve three-year terms.

If you have a complaint

Any person who believes they have been subjected to racial or other biased-based policing may file a complaint with the Newton Police Department and/or the Attorney General’s Office. No person will be discriminated against or subjected to retribution because they have filed a complaint.

To submit a complaint, fill out and submit the form linked below, or print and seal it in an envelope, clearly mark that it is for the Police Department, and drop it off either at the police station or in the utility payment box outside City Hall.

Submit a complaint

Contact LEAP

Email leap@newtonkansas.com

LEAP brochure

• K.S.A. 22-4610 creates the statutory framework for cities to establish law enforcement advisory boards “to advise and assist in policy development, education and community outreach and communications related to racial or other biased-based policing by law enforcement officers and agencies…”
• The City of Newton established LEAP by Ordinance 5079-22.

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer