The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kansas is extending support to individuals affected by the Wichita Police Department’s controversial gang list by organizing free legal information sessions. These sessions, initiated in response to a settlement reached in August, aim to inform residents of their rights under the updated policies and procedures.
The ACLU’s federal lawsuit against the WPD, filed after years of alleged civil rights infringements, accused the department of using vague criteria that led to the wrongful inclusion of individuals on its gang list. The ACLU argued that these criteria violated individuals’ federal rights, adding people to the list without clear evidence of gang affiliation.
The first of these free sessions, held on Saturday, was dedicated to explaining the outcomes of the lawsuit and the changes made to the WPD’s gang list policies as a result. “We clarify what happened in the case and outline the revised WPD policies concerning the gang list,” said Kunyu Chung of the ACLU of Kansas. “We want to provide a clear understanding of what factors can lead to inclusion on the list, how to verify if one is on it, and what steps are available to challenge this listing through a neutral review.”
The settlement requires the WPD to adopt stricter guidelines for gang list inclusion and to extend rights for those already listed, including the right to appeal. These reforms introduce a more transparent and accountable process, aiming to prevent further misuse of the list and reduce unnecessary criminal labeling.
For those seeking more information, the ACLU of Kansas and Kansas Appleseed, a statewide advocacy organization, will hold an additional legal information session on December 7.
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