ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – A St. Louis County Republican is again proposing the state takeover St. Louis City Police.
Missouri State Rep. Brad Christ(R), who represents parts of St. Louis County, which includes Fenton and Sunset Hills, tells KMOX he’s renewing his call for state officials to appoint the city’s police board.
“This is not a crime plan,” said Christ. “This is about building a foundation of a structure that is completely diminished, demoralized by the city administration.”
Under Christ’s legislation the governor would appoint members of the police board, similar to the police board in Kansas City, Missouri, who are the only department in the state with a state appointed board.
He cites high violent crime rates in the last decade since St. Louis voters returned control of St. Louis’ police department to local officials in 2012.
Christ contends the St. Louis Police Department has been demoralized by city officials while Kansas City has a consistent police department and thriving region and his measure would take local politics out of policing.