The bill to return control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to a board appointed by Missouri’s governor has drawn fierce opposition from city leaders, who note that it could amount to a cash grab by police—and give unions power over their own raises.
If state Rep. Brad Christ’s bill becomes law, the department would again answer to a board of commissioners. The mayor gets one seat. Another would be appointed at the sole discretion of the governor. The other three would also be chosen by the governor, but for those, he must choose within a tightly restricted pool: Four nominees come from the unions representing SLMPD officers, and one from the mayor.
The bill heads to the Senate this week. It has already won approval in the House…