Legislation will Remove Local Control of Metropolitan Police Department.
The Republican-led Missouri House of Representatives voted to overturn the will of the people of St. Louis in order to take away local control of their city’s Metropolitan Police Department, giving control of it to a group of prominent citizen and business owners who would be appointed by the Missouri governor.
None of whom are people who actually live in the city of St. Louis.
Mayor Tishaura O. Jones issued the following statement in response to the bill’s mark-up and progress through the state house:
“To this day, no lawmaker who supports state takeover of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has been able to say how it would make the City of St. Louis safer.”
“They also cannot explain why they are so determined to overturn the will of nearly two-thirds of Missourians who voted for local control.”
Mayor Jones’ tone was scornful. “Today’s vote is politics at its worst. I’m thankful to Chief Robert Tracy and every member of the SLMPD for all the work they continue to do for the people of St. Louis.”
House Bill 495’s sponsor, Republican State Rep. Brad Christ, said that his bill is ‘not a crime plan.’
“This bill would remove local elected control and give it to an unelected board of ‘bona fide business owners’ (source: www.stltoday.com) of a business located within 50 miles of the city – not necessarily city residents.
Meanwhile, crime continues to trend downward across the City of St. Louis.
In specific neighborhoods where the city’s Office of Violence Prevention (established by Mayor Jones in 2022), has combined outreach from trusted bastions with enforcement and resources, homicides are down more than 50% compared to fiscal year 2024.
Missouri House Bill 495 is intended to introduce significant changes in law enforcement designed to enhance public safety and address challenges across Missouri.
Next Steps
Missouri House Bill 495 would eventually shift control of the St. Louis MPD to a state-run board.
The measure is gaining momentum as it moves closer to clearing the chamber.
SLMPD currently operates under direct control of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones.
Although several GOP-backed bills have proposed a board of police commissioners to oversee the department instead, so far the only bill making notable progress is HB 495, according to its sponsor Brad Christ (R-St. Louis County).
Tuesday of this week, the bill won a second round of approval from the Missouri House and moved to the critical fiscal review stage, where a committee will evaluate its cost impact.
If HB 495 clears that step, the bill could return for a third reading and final vote in the House. Once approved from there, the bill would head to the Missouri Senate.
A key provision in the bill would establish a new Board of Police Commissioners to oversee the St. Louis Police Department, effective this August 28, 2025.
#STLPolitics #LegislativeUpdate #HouseBill495
