If police could keep a portion, they thought, education would receive at least some money. Now, however, several of the organizations say they have a better understanding of Missouri drug law. Of five education groups surveyed last week, three said they opposed the amendment to split drug money. One that supported it two years ago was now neutral, and a fifth remained neutral. According to state law, police are required to send drug money they seize through state court, which usually sends it to public education.
State law prohibits police from making such direct transfers to a federal agency.
Since the stories were published, the Kansas City school board, representing all school districts, has sued all law enforcement agencies in a class-action lawsuit to recover money police have kept. Legislators also introduced several ballot measures that would amend the constitution with the approval of voters. The amendments would give 50 percent of the money to schools and 50 percent to the Missouri Department of Public Safety, which would return the money in grants to police departments. Depending on the measure, the police agency that seized the money also could get a percentage of it back. Legislators who offered the amendments this year and in previous years argue that police deserve a portion of the money and that a split would motivate police to more faithfully send at least some money to education.