The Missouri House gave initial approval to a bill today that would give St. Louis officials control over the city's police department for the first time since the Civil War.
In an overwhelming 123-34 vote, House members perfected a bill that's been a priority of Mayor Francis Slay and other city leaders. The bill needs one more House vote before it heads to the Senate where it will likely have a harder time being approved.
There was little debate on Rep. Jamilah Nasheed's bill in the House. The St. Louis Democrat lashed out at members of the police officers association for opposing the bill.
"If the police union spent as much time fighting crime as it does fighting my bill, the city of St. Louis wouldn't be the most dangerous city in the United States," Nasheed said on the House floor.
The police department is currently controlled by a board that has four members appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon. Slay also sits on the board. Nixon indicated last week that he's opposed to the proposal, though he left some wiggle room.
Members of the police association have said they are concerned that with local control, their pensions could be at risk. The bill passed by the House included an amendment that seeks to protect the pensions at their current levels.
House members also added an amendment that would limit the ability of police officers to lobby in the Capitol in uniform as official representatives of the city.
After the vote, Speaker of the House Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, called the vote "a step in the right direction."
"I believe local people make better decisions," said Tilley, who made it clear early in the session that he supported the bill. |
