By Antonio D. French
Filed Friday, June 30, 2006 at 5:18 PM
The legislative committee of the Board of Aldermen today recommended a board bill that would ask city voters whether they prefer police department employees to live in the city. Labels: Police
Board Bill #47 is sponsored by Aldermen Freeman Bosley, Sr. (3rd Ward), Ken Ortmann (9th), Stephen Gregali (14th), and Jennifer Florida (15th). It would put on the November ballot a question very similar to one voted on in April 1995. At that time, 68.36% of city voters answered yes to the following:
Shall commissioned police officers and civilian employees of the Metropolitan Police Department of the City of St. Louis be required to reside within the City of St. Louis just like other City employees?
The ballot language in November will be almost identical, except "just like other City employees" has been removed. During today's committee meeting, Alderman Fred Heitert (12th Ward), the Board's lone Republican, asked Ortmann why that wording was removed. See video:
Since the City of St. Louis funds the police department, but has no say over department policy and procedures, this vote would be non-binding. Supporters hope it will guide the decisions of the state legislature and the governor-appointed police board members.
9 Comments:
How many times do the residents of the City have to send "guidance?"
6/30/2006 11:45 PM
Why continue to waste the taxpayers time with bills that mean nothing?
The Police Department is controlled by the State of Missouri and it is a good thing because we keep the City politics out of the equation for the most part.
The City should never gain any more control over what they already have. Can we say St. Louis Public Schools?
7/01/2006 8:49 AM
Two of the Alderman on that committee are under recall. The police dept. is (reguardless of who contols it) one of the big three.
School system
Board of Public service
Police Dept .
In order to get St. Louis together each budget must be considered in the overall picture.
7/01/2006 9:04 PM
If you are refering to Freeman Bosley, Sr. and Jennifer Florida, neither one was at the meeting when the committee voted to recommend the bill.
7/01/2006 9:52 PM
BTW, Antonio, Ortmann was asked about the wording change, not Gregali.
7/02/2006 1:07 PM
Thanks for pointing out that typo, Doug. It has been corrected.
7/02/2006 2:17 PM
To to previously posted message about the budget and the Police Department being one of the top three.
I agree 100% that the Police Department is one of the largest departments in the City. By our crime rates they should continue to be.
The City DOES control the budget of the St. Louis Police Department. They always have and always will. Since the inception of the Handcock Amendment the City has also controlled the pay increases for the Police Department. The only control that they do not have is the punishment of police officers and the rules that govern the Police Department. Those two things rest with the CIVILLIANS that are appointed by the sitting Govenor of the State of Missouri. In other words by someone that YOU the people elect. So you do have a say in all the Police Departments business.
Please quit asking about City control and making it a witchunt for police officers. We have difficult enough jobs to do without having to worry about political in-fighting. They Mayor and the City control the finances and that controls the power.
7/02/2006 5:47 PM
How about a non-binding referendum over switching from state control?
7/05/2006 8:34 AM
In other words by someone that YOU the people elect. So you do have a say in all the Police Departments business.
If I recall correctly, the people of the city of St. Louis did not elect, or want, Matt Blunt to be governor of Missouri. They also did not elect any of the legislators outside of St. Louis.
7/06/2006 10:32 AM
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