§ 53-8. Park rangers.

The Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Department park rangers ("park rangers") shall assist the director of parks and recreation in the security, control, management and protection of all Kansas City, Missouri parks, park property, boulevards, roadways within the parks, community centers and all wildlife and natural/cultural resources of the park.

(1)

Definitions. The following words, when used in this section, shall be defined as follows:

Director means the director of the parks and recreation department or his or her designee.

Parks property includes all parks, park property, boulevards, roadways within the parks, community centers and all wildlife and natural/cultural resources of the park.

Park ranger means a security officer employed by the parks and recreation department who shall hold a class A patrol agent license issued by the city board of police commissioners.

(2)

Authority of park rangers on park property.

a.

Pursuant to authority of RSMo sections 84.420 and 84.720, park rangers of the parks and recreation department that meet the standards of the city board of police commissioners and procure a class A patrol agent security license from the police board are hereby authorized to police parks property.

b.

Upon observing any violation of the city ordinances, park rangers are authorized to take such action as is necessary to stop such violation of the city ordinances or of the laws of the state or of the United States and may detain the violator for disposition by the appropriate law enforcement agency.

(3)

Duties of the park ranger upon parks property.

a.

To issue written citations including general ordinance summons or uniform traffic tickets to persons violating the provisions of chapters 4, 10, 14, 46, 50, 62, 64, 70 and 72 of the Code of Ordinances upon park property;

b.

To provide for the safety and security of visitors to and users of the city parks and recreation facilities and protection of public parks and recreation property and facilities;

c.

To remove any person from park property in violation of any law, or the rules and regulations of the director of parks and recreation, or in any other way endangering the safety or property of others;

d.

To remove a motor vehicle or trailer parked in violation of any city ordinance relating to the parking of a motor vehicle or a trailer or require the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle to do so;

e.

To direct all traffic by voice, hand or signal in conformance with traffic laws, provided that, in the event of a fire or other emergency or to expedite traffic or to safeguard pedestrians;

f.

To take reasonable steps to obtain needed medical, rescue or other emergency assistance in the event of emergencies involving illness or injury, or danger to life;

g.

To assist the police department as needed and as requested; and

h.

To carry out such responsibilities as are commensurate with their status as class A patrol agents.

(4)

Administrative duties. The director is hereby directed to administer all aspects of the park rangers' operations and to coordinate with all applicable city departments and state agencies in matters related to park rangers commissioning, certification, duties, responsibilities, functions, training and operational procedures.

(Ord. No. 180855 , § 1, 11-29-18)