The controversial debate over state versus local control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is approaching what may be its final chapter. Today, the Missouri House is scheduled to cast a decisive vote, potentially affirming the Senate's earlier approval to reinstate state control over the city's police force—a significant turn of events considering that local control was a policy firmly put in place by a statewide vote back in 2012. According to KSDK, Republican Sen. Nick Schroer believes that bolstering police presence will effectively combat St. Louis's crime issues.
Under the proposed bill, the St. Louis police department would fall under the oversight of a new board comprising five state-appointed members and the mayor. On the heels of the Senate's decisive 27 to 5 bipartisan vote, optimism among supporters appears palpable. Sen. Schroer's assertion that increased police manpower will solve the city's rampant crime has been met with criticism. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and Alderwoman Cara Spencer, both opponents of the measure, have pledged to continue their fight. According to FOX 2 Now, Mayor Jones insists that local departments should be accountable to local residents and views this move as a neglect of the people's will.
Despite the proposed changes, there are concerns over the potential impact to existing social programs and fiscal implications for city taxpayers. As reported by First Alert 4, Mayor Jones has highlighted the risks to initiatives like Cops and Clinicians and lamented the increased costs due to diminished local budgetary control. In anticipation of the House vote, an emergence clause has been incorporated which could fast-track the implementation of state control once Governor Mike Kehoe signs the bill.
With the bill on the brink of passing, police union support seems to be strong. This proposed measure has unified backers from both sides of the aisle as well as various law enforcement sectors. Yet, Jeff Rainford, former Chief of Staff to Mayor Francis Slay during the transition from state to local control, expressed his dismay to First Alert 4, labeling a regression to Civil War-era policies as "insane."
