Missouri Lawmakers Push for State Control Over St. Louis Police Department
Missouri Republican legislators are revisiting a contentious proposal to shift governance of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) from local officials to a majority-state appointed board. A series of hearings took place on Wednesday, with separate discussions in the Senate and House on bills aimed at reinstating state oversight.
Senator Nick Schroer, who sponsors one of the proposed bills, asserted that the new structure would enhance police accountability. “This bill aims to improve accountability by establishing a dedicated board ensuring that the police department operates with transparency and is accountable to the citizens it serves,” Schroer stated. The legislation would replace the current mayoral oversight with a five-member board composed mainly of gubernatorial appointees.
Current city leaders expressed strong opposition to the proposal. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones argued that reverting to state control would not enhance public safety, citing voter rejection of similar measures in the past. "State control over our police department was a failure," she remarked, highlighting that crime rates in St. Louis have decreased by 15% this year, with homicides marking their lowest level since 2013.
Supporters of the legislation, including two of the city’s police unions, claim that local governance has resulted in a deteriorating police force. Jay Schroeder, president of the St. Louis Police Officers Association, criticized local leadership for failing to support officers adequately.
Despite previous efforts to transition control back to the state, such proposals have consistently stalled. However, this year’s initiative appears to have increased momentum, buoyed by support from Governor Mike Kehoe. As lawmakers prioritize the measure early in the session, the debate continues over the balance of local versus state authority in policing.
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