ST. LOUIS – Missouri lawmakers have approved HB 495, giving control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department back to the state in a vote of 113-39. 

All it needs now is the governor’s signature. Gov. Mike Kehoe has already indicated that he will sign it. 

The St. Louis Police Officers’ Association sent out a statement Wednesday in regard to the news. 

“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 association wrote.

STL Mayor Tishaura Jones, however, opposed this bill from the beginning. 

“There are so many questions that haven’t been answered about this so-called transition and it’s going to cost the citizens $40 million more,” Jones said. “That’s going to take away from employee raises. It’s going to take away from basic city services. This is not the panacea that people think it’s going to be,” she said shortly after Wednesday’s vote.” 

Jones says this move could reverse recent crime trends. SLMPD’s 2024 crime stats showed 150 homicides last year—the lowest number since 2013. 

SLMPD declined an interview Wednesday, but police Chief Robert Tracy sent out a statement.

“Our mission has not changed—public safety is and will always remain our top priority for our community,” Tracy said.

Jones added that if this bill is signed, it will reverse the progress she and her administration made for the city.

“No one’s talked about the details, and you know what they say, the devil’s in the details and no one’s talked about how this is going to affect all of the progress that we’ve made and I’m afraid that we’re going to go backwards,” Jones said. 

If Kehoe signs the bill, it will create a six-member board to oversee the SLMPD. The city’s mayor gets one seat. The rest will be appointed by the governor. It is a process already used in Kansas City. 

“I asked the mayor of Kansas City if he’s been able to affect change and policy and 9 times out of 10, he gets out voted. He’s been over here to see what we 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. 

The Ethical Society of Police also sent out a statement on Wednesday. 

It read, “The vote to return the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to State Control is a win for all City officers, who will finally get more support to do the tough job of deterring crime and protecting our citizens.” 

When asked, Mayor Jones did not rule out litigation to stop HB 495. 

The bill could be implemented as early as August.