ST. LOUIS — The City of St. Louis and aldermanic board president Megan Green have filed suit in federal court to stop a new law that removes local political control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and places it under the authority of a state-appointed board. 

The lawsuit claims the provision is unconstitutional because it puts in place an unfunded mandate--requirements that the city spend certain amounts of its overall budget on police--and also violates Green's free speech rights by threatening fines and prohibitions on serving in public office for taking "any action that could be found to "in any manner impede, obstruct, hinder, or interfere" with the State Board."

The suit also says the law doesn't define the conduct that  "“hinders” or “obstructs” or “delays” or “impedes” or “interferes” with State Board’s business or the implementation of the State Takeover Law."

House Bill 495, sponsored by St. Louis County Republican Rep. Brad Christ, establishes a 6-person board to oversee the department, with five members appointed by the governor serving with the mayor of St. Louis. One of the members will not have voting rights.

Gov. Kehoe signed the bill March 26. It gives him until April 25 to apppoint a transition director and 90 days to appoint board members, who will need to be sponsored by St. Louis state senators and approved by the body.

The governor's office does not comment on pending litigation, a spokesperson said Monday.

 

This is a developing story and will be updated