ST. LOUIS–The debate over public safety in the St. Louis region was already expected to be a topic of discussion for state lawmakers in Jefferson City in 2023, but the pre-filing period that opened Thursday confirmed it, with multiple bills introduced that would return the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to state control, likely under a Board of Commissioners.

What You Need To Know

  • The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department was under state control for 152 years until 2013
  • At least three state lawmakers have filed legislation to return control to a state oversight commission
  • The 2023 legislative session begins Jan. 4, 2023 in Jefferson City

Police in St. Louis have been under city control since 2013, after voters in 2012 approved a statewide ballot question paving the way for local control for the first time in more than 150 years. 

Now, bills filed by several lawmakers, including an incoming freshman about to step down from his post with the St. Louis County Police department, are promoting the idea of a switch back.

Residents in the city of St. Louis “deserve a functioning government that is committed to safety and security,” Rep.-Elect Justin Sparks told Spectrum News on Friday. Sparks, a Wildwood Republican, will resign as an officer with the St. Louis County Police after 15 years at the end of the month before he’s sworn into office in Jefferson City on Jan. 4. 

His sister Elizabeth is the widow of late St. Louis County Police Officer Blake Snyder, who was shot and killed on duty in 2016.

Sparks cites the lack of manpower, training and equipment problems as factors that have led to an exodus of officers over the last five years, and points to the fact that city leaders have said the city doesn’t need more officers.

"We are following the legislative process in Jefferson City and will work to further the interests of St. Louis City and our residents. We are not commenting on pre-filed legislation but intend to engage throughout the legislative process as the body moves through said process," a spokesman for St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones said Friday. Her administration, under Public Safety Director Dr. Dan Isom, himself a former St. Louis Police Chief, has re-shaped the department since her election in 2021. Vacancies have been filled with non-officer staff, as a way of expanding a social safety net in hopes of diverting cases, like mental health episodes, that may not necessarily require a law enforcement response.

The idea of a return to state control was floated earlier this year by St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann as one of a handful of legislative steps to bolster public safety in an editorial in the St. Louis Business Journal. Ehlmann suggested that just the threat of state control might move local leaders to make changes. Sparks told Spectrum News he’s past that.

“I think we’re beyond, ‘hey get your act together’”, he said, noting the city’s importance as an economic driver in the region. 

Similar bills were filed by State Rep. Chad Perkins R-Bowling Green, a former Bowling Green police officer, and incoming State Rep. Jeff Myers R-Warrenton, a former trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

While Republicans hold veto-proof majorities in both chambers and the Governor’s mansion, Gov. Mike Parson suggested earlier this fall the state was ready to help St. Louis, but not step in. 

“At the end of the day, the city and county are going to have to take care of business here and do something about this crime rate that keeps going up,” Parson told Spectrum News in September.  “You look at the homicide rate in our cities, especially St. Louis and the environment that's in, we gotta figure out a way to change that, but we're here to partner, we're not here to take over and we're not going to take over the city or the county,” he said.

The debate comes just as Jones is preparing to hire a new police chief. Three finalists for the post will be introduced at a town hall-style meeting Tuesday night.