Missouri GOP candidates for governor talk police, Ferguson

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's Republican candidates for governor outlined policies they said would improve police-community relations during a debate Wednesday that largely focused on racial tensions in the state shaken by the 2014 fatal police shooting of black 18-year-old Michael Brown.

All four candidates -- suburban St. Louis businessman John Brunner, former Navy SEAL officer Eric Greitens, former U.S. attorney and House speaker Catherine Hanaway and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder -- voiced support for police during the televised debate held in St. Charles in advance of the Aug. 2 primary. The four also criticized Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon's response to Brown's shooting and the sometimes-violent protests that followed.

The gubernatorial hopefuls differed in how they said they'd address mistrust of police in some communities, an issue that drew national attention to the state after Brown's death. The debate followed the fatal police shootings of black men in Minnesota and Louisiana that have sparked nationwide protests, as well as the sniper attack in Dallas that left five police officers dead.

Hanaway, who has sought to highlight public safety issues in her campaign, called for harsher penalties for those who shoot police and better community policing. She also said police body cameras should be encouraged, noting their use could help restore broken trust in police.

Kinder said people need to unite behind the police, and he said it's important for the governor to have relationships with communities such as Ferguson. He said he's worked to build relationships with mayors in the St. Louis area.

Greitens highlighted his military background, saying that helps him understand the risks of working in law enforcement and he'd work to "build relationships between our police officers and our communities."

Brunner similarly called for support for law enforcement. He also said he'd work to increase employment, saying jobs can "make a big difference for hope and opportunity."

The candidates also largely agreed on gun rights and criticized the response to protests at the University of Missouri's Columbia campus over what some saw as indifference to racial issues by administrators. Turmoil culminated with the resignations of the university system president and Columbia chancellor.

The four are vying for the Republican nomination to compete against the Democratic nominee, which likely will be front-runner Attorney General Chris Koster.