Mayor Cara Spencer said Wednesday she has not ruled out suing to stop implementation of the state-appointed Board of Police Commissioners.
Following the first meeting of the board on Thursday at St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department headquarters, Spencer said while she has not sued and voted in favor of the formal establishment of the board during the meeting she has nor ruled out legal action against the state.
“I have always stood up for local control. It is ideal for the citizens. It is ideal for the police department,” she said.
The board is comprised of voting members Spencer, Brad Artega, Sonya Jenkins-Gray, Chris Saracino and Eddie McVey. Automotive dealer Don Brown is a non-voting member of the board.
While several board members said “transparency” was essential for the board’s future operation, the members were sworn in in a non-public ceremony last week and no public input was allowed during the inaugural meeting.
Board of Aldermen President Megan Green has filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the board, as have city residents Jamala Rogers and Mike Milton.
Legal advocacy group Arch City Defenders filed the suit on behalf of Jamala Rogers and Mike Milton. The contend that the state legislatures action to create the board violates state law by imposing a new “unfunded mandate” to increase the police budget and applying that requirement only to the city of St. Louis.
Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Green announced this week that a Nov. 5, 2025, hearing date has been set and that both lawsuits will be heard simultaneously.
“To the thousands of voters who fought for local control, the state board of commissioners is an illegitimate body. In addition to defying majority voter sentiment, the board consists of members with direct and indirect ties to police,” said Rogers after sitting in the meeting room’s front row.
“No matter what kind of language is included in its resolutions to “center community,”
the governor and the board have already violated established democratic processes and are trying to build trust on a foundation of sand. Fair-minded voters will continue to fight for inclusion, justice, and democracy.”