The present system of operation for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has worked for well over 100 years. This system is not perfect, but it has worked in an acceptable manner over time and I see no reason to tamper with it.
City control should be avoided at all costs. The Board of Police Commissioners should be independent, strong-willed city residents who are fair-minded, dedicated and committed to maintaining excellent police service in the city of St. Louis. The mayor is member of this board.
I have heard that police pensions would not be affected. Is this true? That has to be one of the main reasons for City control. Control to me means CONTROL. Control of all aspects of the department: budget, personnel, transfers, policy, procedures.
Does City control mean the Board of Police Commissioners will be appointed by the mayor instead of the governor? Or will the department come under Civil Service and report to the director of Public Safety and then become mired in the bureaucracy of city government?
Will the number of police officers be reduced by City control to save money? The department can ill afford any further reduction in strength. If control means anything other than full control, then it is just a foot in the door and bit by bit the entire department will be taken over.
I have seen disenchantment with City control in other cities around the country, and I feel that our system is one of the better ones. Say “No!” to City Control. Remember Chief Sherman George? Local political interference is lessened by State control. Let’s keep it that way.
Leroy J. Adkins
Retired police officer
St. Louis