ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com)—
Debate over who controls the St. Louis Police Department could begin on the Missouri House floor in a matter of days. Politicians are scrambling to put pressure on lawmakers. With the very notable exception of the police union, nearly everyone here wants control of the police here. So the chore now is to rally citizens to put pressure on lawmakers who really don't know about the issue.Talking up local control at a city hall gathering is much like preaching to a Sunday church choir. Nearly everyone here wants to see the police department under control of city hall, not the state.
But, unfortunately for supporters, these aren't the people that need convincing. The decision will be made in Jefferson City, and there will be plenty of St. Louis police officers who will be telling them to keep the power there.
Union officials worry state control will put St. Louis officers' pensions in jeopardy, and that the department could become the target for cuts by a cash strapped administration.
John Cullen, with the St. Louis Police Veterans' Association said, "We have a system that's worked for over 150 years, and if you've got something that works and serves the people well, why would you change it?"
But Reditt Hudson with the ACLU countered, "Look at the original intent. It was specifically to disenfranchise the people of this city."
He's referring to Civil War era politics that took control of the department away from St. Louis. As for concerns about officer's pensions, supporters say legislation would make them untouchable.
Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, (D) St. Louis, explained, "A lot of people think the pension will be tampered with if we bring local control back to St. Louis and that's a myth."
Nasheed concedes there could be some cuts at the police department if local control passes. She says jobs in information technology and dispatch, among others that are currently duplicating, could be slashed. That, she says, would save the city some $4 million.
A legislative committee is expected to send the bill to the floor of the House next Monday. Then the fight will really be on.
