JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.—The Missouri State Senate is a step closer to passing a bill that would put St. Louis Metropolitan Police back under state control.

After a nine-hour filibuster into Wednesday night, lawmakers gave first round approval to an amended house bill that would require Senate approval of all members of the police board, with the exception of St. Louis' mayor, who would also have a spot on the panel. The amendment also adds a sixth member, who would not have voting rights.

St. Louis leaders, including mayor Tishaura Jones and police Chief Robert Tracy, have opposed a return to state control, arguing that reductions in homicides and violent crimes is proof that local control, which was endorsed by a statewide vote in 2012, is working.

Control of the police department has been a priority for several years for Republicans who hold supermajorities in both chambers. It is one of the top public safety priorities of Gov. Mike Kehoe, who identified it on the campaign trail last year and in January during his state of the state address.

The sponsor of the House Bill, Rep. Brad Christ, R-Crestwood and State Sen. Nick Schroer, R-St. Charles County, who carried the bill in the Senate, say crime figures have been skewed because of the city’s population loss over time.

Both of the police department’s unions have endorsed a return to a state-appointed board, citing the need for more manpower, equipment and training. 

Democrats, including State Sen. Karla May, of St. Louis, oppose the effort and were concerned that the unions would have the ability to recommend their own members to the governor’s office, who would could in theory, oversee their own boss in the police chief.

Under an amendment adopted Wednesday, board members will require Senate approval, meaning a Senate sponsor would, have in theory, an ability to sink a nominee. The police unions would not have the ability to appoint nominees.

“We had to fight for senate approval, confirmation of appointees. That was not in the original bill and so I'm not in agreement with it, I don't call it a compromise. I call it a takeover,” May said in an interview with Spectrum News on Thursday.

Under the amended bill, there would be no mandated budgeted strength for commissioned officers in the department. That would be left up to the board. SLMPD has been roughly 300 officers short for several years and recently agreed to reduce its budgeted strength to 1,100 officers as part of a labor agreement that boosts salaries by 7%.

The bill also reduces the starting point for the percentage of the city budget that would need to be spent on police, not including retirement and pension costs, from 25% to 22%, with the ability to increase up to the 25% mark.

“If the state wanted to control the entire budget and control where the money is going, that would be a state takeover and I think the Republicans and Democrats voiced a little opposition to a total state takeover and I think this is the hybrid that addresses the concerns of both parties and what the people want,” said Schroer, who has sponsored similar legislation.

The bill carries no extra money for the city to spend on policing, but Schroer says he’s received assurances from House and Senate leadership that supplemental budgets could be revisited to address potential SLMPD needs. 

When asked Thursday morning by reporters, Schroer did not address what specific benchmarks would call a return to a state board successful, beyond increased transparency and getting more officers on the street. He also didn’t say how soon a state-appointed board would need to prove that it was effective.

What’s next?

A Senate committee will review the amended bill on Monday, with the expectation that it will be on the floor for a final vote Monday when the chamber gavels into session.

If it passes the Senate as expected, it could end up on the House calendar any time next week.