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St. Louis police officers ask state for raise

Going beyond the city government, St. Louis Police Officers are asking the state for a raise.

Megan Clarke explains why this city issue is being dealt with by state legislators.

Senator Maida Coleman from St. Louis went before her fellow state senators to ask if police officers from her district could get a raise.

Which may seem like an odd request. In most cities, the local board of alderman or city council decides on such raises.

But fearing political influence and corruption, St. Louis has given the authority to state legislators since 1939.

Senator Coleman says some legislators don't appreciate making decisions for the city.

I ACTUALLY GET AN ATTITUDE WHEN I HAVE TO STAND BEFORE MY COLLEAGUES AND ASK THEM FOR SOMETHING YOUR CITIES CAN DO ON YOUR OWN AND TAKE FOR GRANTED.

Coleman says she is working on the city eventually taking back the authority.

While the state decides the salary levels, St. Louis pays for it.

The state has not given the St. Louis police officers a raise in three years.

St. Louis police officers want a raise. But they have to go to Jefferson City to ask for it. Megan Clarke explains.

The city of St. Louis pays its local police officers salaries, but the state decides when they get a raise.

To avoid political influence and corruption, the city of St. Louis decided in 1939 to allow state legislators, who are removed from city politics, to make such salary decisions.

The procedure has continued for more than 65 years.

The bill's sponsor Senator Maida Coleman hopes St. Louis will soon take back control.

I'M A BIG SUPPORTER OF LOCAL CONTROL AND MAYBE ONE OF THESE DAYS I'LL BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO YOU AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO HANDLE ALL THESE THINGS OURSELVES IN ST. LOUIS CITY.

The proposed bill asks for about a $1400 salary raise.

The state gave St. Louis police officers a raise three years ago.

Proposed bills in the state house and senator are asking for a raise for St. Louis police officers.

Megan Clarke explains why a city issue is decied by the state.

In most cities, the board of alderman or city council decides the salaries of local law enforcement.

But since 1939 the state has determined St. Louis police officers salaries.

St. Louis Representative Tom Villa says the city gave the authority to the state to avoid local political influence and corruption.

Senator Maida Coleman from St. Louis says some state legislators are apprehensive to make such city decisions.

I ACTUALLY GET AN ATTITUDE WHENEVER I HAVE TO STAND BEFORE MY COLLEAGUES AND THEM FOR SOMETHING THAT YOUR CITIES CAN DO ON YOUR OWN AND TAKE FOR GRANTED.

It's been three years since the state granted a raise for St. Louis police officers.