Missouri Governor signs bill giving control of SLMPD to state

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has signed a bill that gives local control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to the state.

Earlier this month, HB 495 ed both the Missouri House and Missouri Senate.

At Wednesday’s bill g, Governor Kehoe was ed by the bill’s sponsors, Representative Brad Christ, and Senators Nick Schroer and Travis Fitzwater, along with Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, leaders for several statewide law enforcement associations, Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Mark James and Missouri State Highway Patrol Colonel Michael Turner.

“We thank the Missouri General Assembly and the bill sponsors for prioritizing public safety and getting this legislation to my desk so quickly this session,” said Governor Kehoe. “In addition to establishing a citizen board to oversee the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, HB 495 benefits law enforcement across our state with tools they need to crack down on crime and illegal immigration.”

The bill will establish a Board of Police Commissioners made up of four citizen commissioners from the city of St. Louis and the mayor of St. Louis. A non-voting member who lives around the city will also be on the board.

Senators from St. Louis City must sponsor a board member before confirmation from the Senate.

The bill also requires the city to spend 25% of the budget on the police department by 2028. The mayor’s office previously said they’ll need to add roughly $41 million to the police budget.

“From the very beginning, this bill has been a sham, and the Governor’s signature represents nothing but disrespect for every Missouri voter who ed local control,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “The residents of the City of St. Louis are safer today because my istration has made difficult and bold decisions that have resulted in a historic reduction in crime. State takeover is not based in reality, and only shows that Governor Kehoe and the legislature are willing to throw out facts, reason, and the will of the people in order to give the safety of our city away to special interests.”

Mayor Jones and Police Chief Robert Tracy testified against the bill in January before Missouri Senators and Representatives.

“This is disrespectful for the people who don’t live in the city to tell people what’s best for them,” Mayor Jones said at the time.

St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy said he was getting emotional during the testimony, calling out senators for “disparaging the work of the officers.” He also said that this is about politics, something he stays out of while running the department.

“I answer to one person who is duly elected by the city. That person can be held responsible as an elected mayor. They appoint a police chief. She holds me able. She can hire and fire me and should hold me able. Why would you want five people making that decision that our citizens can’t hold able that has a say in who their police chief is. You have four people appointed by the state and the mayor, and you’re answering five people that might have five different concerns on how the city should be run. You answer to one person who’s able to the public, and I think that’s how it should be,” said Chief Tracy in January.

Following the bill g, Chief Tracy released the following statement:

“The brave men and women of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are fully committed to protecting and serving our community. Public safety remains our top priority. We will work with Governor Mike Kehoe’s Office and the Transition Director while maintaining the highest standards of excellence in policing and delivering quality service to our community.”

From the 1800s until 2013, Jefferson City ran the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. During those 152 years, data shows that the city consistently had crime issues. In 2012, voters statewide decided it was time for citizens to have control of their department.