ABOUT THE AUTHOR

This web site has been created and is maintained by Lisa S. Morris, General Counsel for the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.  Lisa has been in law enforcement in one capacity or another for nearly 25 years.  In November of 1979, she entered the Regional Police Academy as a Reserve Police Officer for the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.  Since 1992, she has worked in the Legal Office of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.  As an entity under state control, the Department has its own lawyers - working solely for police officers and with the law that affects them.  With over 1300 sworn officers, legal issues are faced daily by her office and as we all know, no two situations faced by officers are ever completely alike.  The variety  of the questions, just like the variety of issues faced by officers in their daily work, makes the job interesting, challenging and very rewarding!

Here is Lisa's full resume....

EDUCATION: 

Juris Doctor with Distinction, December 1993 - University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Kansas City, Missouri

Class Ranking: 8th in class

Honors and Activities: Dean’s Honor List; Staff Member, Law Review; Member,   Student Bar Association

Note Published: UMKC Law Review, “Photo Radar: Friend or Foe?” Volume 61, Number 4, Summer 1993.

Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, May 1982 - Avila College, Kansas City, Missouri 

Honors: Graduated Magna Cum Laude, 3.85 GPA

Regional Center for Criminal Justice, Kansas City, Missouri

Honors:    Graduated 1st in class, April, 1980    

The Barstow School, Kansas City, Missouri - High School Graduate

Activities:    Honor Council; Student Council; Editor of the Yearbook; Staff Member, School Newspaper

LICENSES, MEMBERSHIPS AND CERTIFICATES:

 EXPERIENCE:                       

Handle civil litigation filed against the Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri and Members of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department; Claims adjuster for vehicular accidents involving Department members; Legal research and writing; Handle defense of unemployment claims and other employment actions filed against the Board and Department; Advise command staff of the Department on legal issues; Advise officers in the field on legal issues which arise in the course of their duties; Solely responsible for training of new cadets and assist in supervisor’s training class and in-service training for officers, sergeants and commanders; Instructor for the Citizen’s Police Academy sponsored by the Department.                       

Handle civil litigation filed against the Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri and Members of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department; Claims adjuster for vehicular accidents involving Department members; Legal research and writing; Handle defense of unemployment claims and other employment actions filed against the Board and Department; Advise command staff of the Department on legal issues; Advise officers in the field on legal issues which arise in the course of their duties; Solely responsible for training of new cadets and assist in supervisor’s training class and in-service training for officers, sergeants, and commanders; Instructor for the Citizen’s Police Academy sponsored by the Department.            

Awards:               KCPD Special Unit Citation

Adjusted claims made by citizens as a result of vehicular accidents with members of the Department; Assisted in design of computer program to track damage to Department vehicles; undertook collection efforts and filed lawsuits in cases where citizens at fault failed or refused to make payment to the Department for damage done.

Volunteered an average of 400 hours per year.  Assigned to the Legal Advisor’s Office and as a Patrol Officer, to the Central Patrol Division.  Performed all of the same duties of a full-time police officer; answered citizen’s calls for service, negotiated settlement of disputes, investigated crimes, gathered evidence, wrote offense and investigation reports.  Spoke to students about law enforcement issues. 

Awards:                KCPD Special Unit Citation, Good Conduct, Safe Driving

Provide security for players, ticket office and vault, assist patrons and resolve various issues that arise during the course of the game. 

Recruited potential members, organized activities, planned Sunday School programs, developed membership questionnaire for new members of the Church.

Assisted in obtaining accreditation for hospital’s Drug and Alcohol Program by assisting in the compilation of a handbook detailing the objectives and treatment methods of the program. 

Assisted in operation of campaign office, organized state-wide mailings and made speeches throughout the state on behalf of the candidate.                                       

TEACHING EXPERIENCE 

Certified Specialist Instructor in Legal training including Missouri Statutory Law and Constitutional Law based on Missouri POST Commission Objectives.  Instruct Entrant Officers in Constitutional Law, Missouri Statutory Law and Case and Trial Preparation.  Prepare curriculum, tests and conduct remedial training when necessary.

Instructor for In-Service Training in various subjects including Legal Updates, Sexual Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace.

Instructor for Legal Updates class offered for Continuing Legal Education credits.

Instructor in Administrative Law and Business Law for graduate students.    

*Employed by numerous organizations in capacity as an off-duty police officer, including the Kansas City Chiefs Football Club and many others.  The complete list would be too lengthy to include.