Kansas City Police Chief Darryl Forte says he isn’t upset a city council candidate used his photo on a campaign mailer.
Forte told reporters after Tuesday’s police commissioners meeting he had taken a photo with Heather Hall, who is running against Councilman Dick Davis in the 1st District, at a memorial ceremony last month.
“I’m a public figure, and I take pictures with people all the time,” Forte says. “What they do with the picture is up to them, but if they do something inappropriate with it, I’ll say something about it.”
Forte says he’s not endorsing anyone for city council. Missouri statute forbids police chiefs from engaging in political activity.
The mailer, paid for by “Friends of Heather Hall for City Council,” did include endorsements from several police and fire unions.
Forte sent an email Friday to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners to say he did not approve the use of the photo. Forte says his legal advisor has sent Hall a letter asking her to stop using the photo in campaign material, but he added he's not seeking an apology.
In a statement, Davis called Hall’s use of the photo disrespectful.
A call to Hall’s campaign was not returned.
