ST. LOUIS – Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe is expected to soon sign into law a bill transferring control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to a state-appointed board.
The legislation, which includes an emergency clause, will take effect immediately upon the governor’s signature.
Under the new structure, the St. Louis mayor will occupy one of six board seats. Board members appointed by the governor must have been living in the City of St. Louis for at least two years leading up to their appointments.
The appointments will also require approval from the Missouri Senate.
This shift to a state-appointed board of police commissioners comes as crime statistics indicate a decrease in violent crime in the city of St. Louis.
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones reacted to the vote on Wednesday, stating that her administration’s efforts have led to that reduction in crime.
She also said Kansas City’s mayor has faced frustrations with a state-appointed board overseeing that city’s police department.
“He’s been over here to see what we’ve been able to do focusing on prevention, intervention, and enforcement, our alternative response models, and hasn’t been able to implement most of what we’ve been able to do in Kansas City,” Jones said.
State Representative Steve Butz, a St. Louis Democrat, supports the transition to a state-appointed board. He cited a recent Fox Files report, detailing a police department firing range in dire need of upgrades, as an example of mismanagement that necessitates change.
Butz said he was led to support the bill in large part because of feedback from constituents and officers.
“The number of officers that are going to stay because this passed today is going to be dramatic,” he said.
Police unions have responded similarly. The St. Louis Police Officers’ Association released a statement expressing excitement over the passage of HB495, which restores the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to a governor-appointed board of police commissioners.
The statement emphasized that for over a decade, ineffective management has hindered officers’ ability to fulfill their duties.
“With this change, St. Louis will begin to realize the vision of Governor Kehoe for a safer St. Louis for its citizens, a better environment for businesses to flourish, and a more supportive administration for the officers who serve the citizens of this great city,” the statement read.
The Ethical Society of Police (ESOP) also released a statement welcoming the decision. They described the move back to state control as a win for all city officers, stating that it will provide them with much-needed support in their efforts to deter crime and protect citizens.
ESOP, which represents over 200 members primarily from minority backgrounds, emphasized the importance of improving morale, investing in officer training and addressing staffing shortages.
“This bill is also a win for citizens, especially with the additional policy changes that were packaged with it,” the statement noted, highlighting initiatives such as the new Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls Task Force and new penalties for organized theft rings.
The statement indicated the organization has opposed local control since 2010, when it was first proposed.
“But having worked under both systems, we’re confident that this is the start of the path to much-needed improvements that will benefit law enforcement, civilian workers, and the citizens of our great city,” the statement concluded.