Council voices support for Chief Braden Moore while others raise resident concerns about police Facebook posts

One council member offered a prepared statement praising Police Chief Braden Moore’s leadership, community-policing initiatives and communication strategy, and invited colleagues to sign in support. "Under his leadership, he has built up a strong active department that has been able to offer 24/7 protection for the citizens of Kechi," the council member said, and noted Moore’s election by peers as president of the Kansas Peace Officers Association as evidence of regional respect.

Other council members and residents said they had received messages from constituents who felt frightened by certain posts on the department Facebook page and asked whether the city or department maintains a social-media policy that guides professional conduct. One council member asked if the police department maintains separate policies and whether the city should consider a broader social-media policy to balance outreach with community sensitivity. Staff said police have a separate policy manual and that the rhetoric on the department’s page had moderated in recent weeks; the council did not adopt a social-media policy at this meeting.

Context and claim: A draft letter referenced by a council member said the mayor accused Chief Moore of damaging relationships with other agencies and of demeaning the memory of fallen officers; the supporting council member said the allegations lacked evidence and defended Moore’s posts as humor used for outreach. The exchange underlined a persistent divide within the council about tone and public communications by city officials.

What’s next: Council members said they would continue discussions about social-media guidance and communication practices; no formal directive or discipline occurred at this meeting.