Local Control For St. Louis Police Force
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Local Control For St. Louis Police Force

Date: January 30, 2008
By: Jessica Miller
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB 785

Intro: Democratic St. Louis Senator Maida Coleman stressed the importance of local control for the St. Louis Police Force.

Jessica Miller has more from the State Capitol. 

RunTime:
OutCue: SOC Currently, the St. Louis Police Force is controlled by a commission whose members are chosen by the Governor. Local control would allow the city to deal with decisions and complaints first hand. The sponsor of the bill, St. Louis Democratic Senator Maida Coleman said state control of the local police force is a threat to the community and ultimately, democracy.
Actuality:  COLEMAN1.WAV
Run Time: 00:18
Description: You start having people now feel resentful, who don't want to respect the law who feel that if the police, if they have no control over the city they pay taxes in, vote in, its just not a good situation for anybody.

Last legislative season Senator Coleman proposed a similar bill which did not pass. This bill has not yet been voted on. Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Jessica Miller. __________________________________________________________________________________________  Intro:  Democratic St. Louis Senator Maida Coleman continued her pursuit of local control of the St. Louis Police Force. Jessica Miller has more from the State Capitol.  RunTime:
OutCue: SOC The only committee member asking any questions of the bill's sponsor was fellow St. Louis Senator Republican Harry Kennedy. Kennedy said his main concern is for all citizens of the city to have their voices heard.
Actuality:  SKEN1.WAV
Run Time: 00:13
Description: I've lived in the city all my life,  I love the city of St. Louis and I want the city to grow and I want everyone to be included, but I also want everyone to be protected that's why I'm a little hesitant about local control.

 Also in opposition was Gary Weigert, President of the St. Louis Police Officer's Association, who said local control threatens the pension of future police officers and the city is already currently fiscally irresponsible. Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Jessica Miller.