By Antonio D. French
Filed Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 8:28 AM
The St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners is meeting this morning for the first time since Mayor Francis Slay vetoed the Aldermanic bill that sought to create a civilian review board to investigate reports of police abuse.
The board is expected to take up Slay's alternative proposal for a CRB. Members of the Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression and supporters of the bill are expected to attend the meeting and voice their concerns about the mayor's veto.
UPDATE: The Police Board approved the Mayor's plan to establish his own version of a "civilian review board."
UPDATE 2: Members of the St. Louis Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression (CAPCR) responded to the Police Board's approval of Slay's version of a civilian review board by saying the Mayor and the Commissioners were "out of touch with the community."
Mayor Slay vetoed a CRB bill (BB69FS) passed by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen last month saying it had "legal flaws" and was open to court challenges because he said it violated state law.
In a statement released after the unanimous vote by the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners, CAPCR called the vote "a backward step" and said the Police Board’s CRB "is structurally weak and cannot be effective."
Jamala Rogers, co-chair of the coalition, said it is time for St. Louis City to fight for local control of its police department.
"Today’s actions by the mayor and the police board are the stuff that campaigns are made of," said Rogers. "First, we need a mayor who respects the entire city, who will fight for justice, and who will be responsive to the community decision-making process. We plan to help the city find such a mayor."
Johnson Lancaster contributed to this report.
7 Comments:
Jamala, meet Mike, and think 2009.
Fran already knows he's walking like a lame duck.
4/12/2006 1:36 PM
Don't count out Shrewsbury.
He's courting the north side too, and he'll have the southwest city vote is Slay doesn't seek re-election.
4/12/2006 2:41 PM
What else can Slay do after being mayor?
He's not exactly a great candidate for higher office, except maybe State Senate or House -- and those positions would be almost a step down. Carnahan looks strong for 3rd CD as long as he wants the seat, so that's not likely. A statewide bid would go down the tubes faster than "Schoemehl for Governor."
Federal appointment? Wrong party.
I'd say Slay's best bet is a third term. Right now, a third term is his. Who could beat him?
4/12/2006 3:04 PM
Bill Haas will probably try.
Again.
4/12/2006 3:59 PM
Come on, I'm sure he could find plenty of buddies in the development industry who'd be happy to give him a cushy job. He's scratched their backs for many years now...
4/12/2006 4:06 PM
Shrewsbury should learn from the school board race that Southwest City ain't the conservative voting base it once was. Mike will be the next hizzoner, not Jim.
4/13/2006 8:32 AM
Sorry, but even if CAPCR's version of a civilian review board had been passed, it still would not fix the problem of "police abuse" and the continued failure to appropriately discipline officers. The real problem here, unfortunately, is not citizen review, or local control, or even Slay, but JOE MOKWA. He fails to take action against bad cops on a regular basis, and would rather re-assign them to a job they're less likely to get into trouble than fire them. He coddles repeat offenders, protects his friends, and trumps up silly charges against his "enemies" (real or perceived). He cheated on the crime stats; he swept sexual assaults under the rug; he keeps promoting officers despite the budgetary problems of the Dept. And worst of all, THERE ISN'T EVEN A PROCESS TO EVALUATE HIS JOB PERFORMANCE. Essentially, he's got a job for life, and nobody can tell him what to do, not even the Police
Board (he gets rid of Board members or keeps them from being in leadership positions). They Chief is the problem, and he's gotta go!
4/13/2006 11:40 AM
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