ST. LOUIS–The Missouri House gave final approval Monday afternoon to legislation that would transfer control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department back to a state-appointed board roughly ten years after Missourians statewide voted to allow for local control.

What You Need To Know

  • Missouri voters in 2012 gave control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department back to the city for the first time since the Civl War era.
  • The bill passed Monday would transfer control to a state appointed board of St. Louis residents, including the Mayor.
  • Supporters say the move would boost the morale of officers who are overworked due to low staffing levels, while Democrats in opposition say the bill doesn't address exactly how state control would address policing violent crime.
  • The bill now heads to the Senate. Governor Parson said last week it was too early to address if he'd sign the bill if it got to his desk.

While Republicans hold a supermajority in the House, Monday’s 113-40 vote included some Democratic support from St. Louis lawmakers, including State Rep. Donna Baringer and Steve Butz.

Seven lawmakers did not cast a vote, while three voted “Present”.

The measure now heads to the Senate.

Under the bill, Republican Gov. Mike Parson would have from Aug. 28 until Sept. 28 to appoint four St. Louis police board commissioners. The mayor, currently Democrat Tishaura O. Jones, also would serve on the board.

Officers last week reached a contract agreement with the city.

Republicans backing several measures regarding control of the department have pointed to the two police unions representing St. Louis officers who have complained about poor staffing levels and low morale in the department.

Democrats have said the bill doesn’t address how a return to state control would by itself reduce violent crime, or how it would measure the state board’s effectiveness. A state commission oversaw the St. Louis Police Department dating back to the Civil War until 2013, when voters statewide gave power back to the city.

In a statement after the vote, a city spokesman said the bill would overturn the will of the voters.

“Instead of focusing on measures that would actually make our communities safer - investments in left-behind communities, commonsense gun safety laws - certain Jefferson City Republicans are working overtime to turn back the clock to the 1800’s. This isn’t about improving public safety; it’s about power and politics,” Communications Director Nick Desideri said. 

"Mayor Jones will continue working to address root causes of crime in our communities while holding those who do commit crime accountable for their actions," he said.

Thursday, Parson said the question of local or state control of the department, and a separate measure that would allow him to appoint a special prosecutor for violent crimes in St. Louis, were part of a legitimate discussion to be had about crime issues in the city. He told Spectrum News it was too early to say if he would sign either bill if they made it out of the Senate.