Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has filled the new Board of Police Commissioners for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department with a mix of business leaders and a former public official. The board, which marks a shift to state control of the police department, includes well-known St. Louis personalities and Mayor Cara Spencer, who has been critical of the transfer of power.
According to First Alert 4, the governor's appointees come from diverse backgrounds including the restaurant industry, photography, and city governance. Brad Arteaga, a commercial photographer with civic board experience, and Sonya Jenkins-Gray, the controversial former Director of Personnel for the City of St. Louis, are among the appointed members.
Despite opposition from some local leaders regarding the state's takeover, the board is set to transition to full state control by July 1, 2026. KSDK reported that the board members will serve varying terms, with Chris Saracino, owner of Bartolino's Hospitality Group, and Edward McVey, owner of Maggie O'Brien's Restaurant and Irish Pub, joining as voting members.
Aside from the business community, the board's makeup also reflects a return to a previous era, as Chris Saracino's father previously served on the St. Louis police board. Despite the board's influence, Governor Kehoe emphasized, as detailed by FOX 2 Now, that "the police department will remain under the leadership of Police Chief Robert Tracy."
In addition to the controversy surrounding Jenkins-Gray's appointment due to her firing by former Mayor Tishaura Jones, the new board has raised concerns over the amount of business representation and the implications for policing strategy and community relations. As the debate continues, the newly appointed commissioners prepare to assume their roles in guiding one of Missouri's most significant urban police forces.
