POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Group Funded by Jay-Z Sues Kansas Agency

Jay-Z's Team Roc filed a lawsuit in the district court of Wyandotte County, Kansas, on Monday against the Kansas City Police Department, accusing KCKPD of covering up alleged police misconduct.

September 22, 2021

A group funded by rap mogul Jay-Z is suing a Kansas City (KS) Police Department for access to records of alleged officer misconduct.

Jay-Z's Team Roc filed a lawsuit in the district court of Wyandotte County, Kansas, on Monday against the Kansas City Police Department, accusing KCKPD of covering up alleged police misconduct.

Ad Loading...

Team Roc is suing for access to records that, according to the lawsuit, would shed light on complaints filed against members of KCKPD's investigative division, including documents related to the training and supervision of KCKPD officers.

Attorney Alex Spiro, who represents Team Roc in the suit, told ABC News that while the KCKPD provided some information requested through the Kansas Open Records Act, the documents the department provided were "not sufficient."

"Because of the [Kansas] Public Records Act that allows interested parties to look at various states and government documents, we're allowed to see certain files and how the government handled certain issues," Spiro said. "The government has attempted to block our access to those files, and so we're suing to see what they don't want us to see."

The lawsuit alleges that KCKPD has agreed to provide documents "pertaining to the complaints made against members of the Investigative Division," but has "refused to produce documents pertaining to any steps that the City has taken in response to those Complaints, including any investigations or disciplinary proceedings initiated as a result of the complaints."

The suit filed on Monday references several reported incidents, including an officer who is charged with committing sex crimes involving a minor, two officers charged with a felony and misdemeanor assault over the mistreatment of an inmate, officers indicted on charges of stealing from homes where they were serving search warrants as well as a federal lawsuit in which a black female KCKPD officer sued the department for alleged race and gender discrimination.

Ad Loading...

According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, some exceptions to the Kansas Open Records Act include criminal investigation records, criminal intelligence information and "most personnel records."

The lawsuit states that Team Roc is "seeking documents outside of the scope of personnel records to determine if "complaints are being seriously addressed and whether there is sufficient oversight and supervision over the KCKPD."

Jay-Z, through his company Tidal, has donated $1.5 million to Black Lives Matter and other anti-police groups .

Ad Loading...

More Point of Law

patrolfinder - reducing crime thumbnail
SponsoredOctober 27, 2025

How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management

Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.

Read More →
Point of Law logo with scales of justice in metallic silver text
Patrolby Eric DaigleSeptember 1, 2025

Point of Law: The Limits of Electronic Searches

Can an individual be prosecuted for despicable criminal conduct based on evidence obtained in violation of the United States Constitution? Ultimately, the Ninth Circuit judges wrote, “In the circumstances of this case (United States v. Holcomb, 23-469 (9th Cir. 2025)), respect for the Constitution and the rule of law requires an answer of “no.”

Read More →
PatrolAugust 25, 2025

Trump Issues Order Cutting Federal Funding in Cashless Bail Jurisdictions

<strong>“</strong>Cashless bail policies allow dangerous individuals to immediately return to the streets and further endanger law-abiding, hard-working Americans because they know our laws will not be enforced,” the administration said.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Point of LawJuly 2, 2025

Justice Department Sues Los Angeles Over Sanctuary Policies

The DOJ said in a press release that the “sanctuary city” policies of the City of Los Angeles are illegal under federal law.

Read More →
Point of Lawby Kevin R. MadisonJune 20, 2025

Understanding Officer-Created Jeopardy

Officers can be criminally prosecuted for using force when their actions led to escalation during contact with subjects.

Read More →
Point of LawJune 18, 2025

Point of Law: The Limitations of Search Warrants

In the Tenth Circuit case of Cuervo v. Sorenson, the Court ruled officers cannot deviate from the language of the warrant.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Point of LawMay 21, 2025

DOJ Dismisses Consent Decrees Affecting Louisville and Minneapolis Police

The Civil Rights Division will be taking all necessary steps to dismiss the Louisville and Minneapolis lawsuits with prejudice, to close the underlying investigations into the Louisville and Minneapolis police departments.

Read More →
Point of LawApril 28, 2025

New Michigan Bill would Give Officers Civil Immunity in Self-Defense Cases

House Bill 4404 would create a presumption of civil immunity for individuals who are cleared criminally after using force in self-defense, shifting the burden of proof onto plaintiffs.

Read More →
Point of LawApril 8, 2025

Seattle to Pay Police Captain $1 Million to Settle Lawsuit

Seattle police Capt. Eric Greening sued former Chief Adrian Diaz last year alleging that Diaz retaliated when Greening brought up concerns about racial and gender discrimination.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Point of LawMarch 13, 2025

Washington Agencies Ordered to Not Delete Critical Facebook Contents

Jim Leighty, a local activist, filed two federal lawsuits last year claiming both agencies deleted or hid critical comments he had written below multiple posts, while keeping comments that were pro-police in nature.

Read More →