Missouri black caucus calls for renewed focus on Ferguson

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The leader of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus says the U.S. Department of Justice report about racial bias and constitutional violations by the Ferguson Police Department highlights the need for drastic reform.

Democratic Rep. Brandon Ellington, of Kansas City, said Thursday that court reforms are needed to ensure police departments aren't being used to harass people and generate revenues. He also backed the use of video and audio recordings of interactions between police and the public.

House Speaker John Diehl had said at the beginning of the session that House Republicans do not have a Ferguson agenda. But Diehl has sent numerous bills to committees that stem from the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Ellington says legislators should make a "Ferguson agenda" a high priority.