The Missouri House of Representatives passed a bill, House Bill 495, that would put the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department back under state control. This proposed change would reverse a 2012 voter-approved measure that gave St. Louis local control of its police force for the first time since the Civil War. The bill would create a new board of police commissioners to oversee the department, with members chosen by the governor and the mayor. Police union groups would also have a role in recommending nominees for the position. St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Tracy expressed concerns about the candidate selection process, calling it a conflict of interest. The bill’s sponsor, St. Louis County Republican Brad Christ, argued that the change is necessary in light of rising crime rates and officer retention issues. However, Mayor Tishaura Jones and Chief Tracy are opposed to the bill, with Jones calling the passage through the House “politics at its worst.” The bill also includes other provisions such as requiring law enforcement agencies to report the immigration status of criminal offenders and increasing penalties for certain crimes like burglary and sex trafficking of minors. The bill passed by a 106-47 vote and will now move on to the Senate for consideration.
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