ST. LOUIS — A legal battle is unfolding in St. Louis as the city and its Board of Aldermen leader have initiated a federal lawsuit challenging a newly enacted Missouri law that reinstates state control over the city’s police department. This situation places St. Louis among several prominent U.S. cities that do not have full control over their police forces.
The lawsuit, driven by Megan Green, president of the Board of Aldermen, contends that this recent legislation infringes upon her rights to free speech, assembly, and petitioning the state, all of which are safeguarded by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The city’s stance is that the law goes against a stipulation in the Missouri Constitution that forbids unfunded mandates from the state.
The law, greenlit by the state’s Republican-majority Legislature and signed into action by Governor Mike Kehoe, authorizes the governor to appoint four city residents to serve as voting members on a new board managing the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. These appointees would work alongside the city’s democratically elected mayor, currently Tishaura Jones. Notably, a similar structure is already in place for the Kansas City, Missouri police department.
Critics have speculated that the intent behind the Republican lawmakers’ action is to diminish the influence of Mayor Jones, an African American woman. However, Governor Kehoe argues that the legislation is focused on enhancing public safety.
The lawsuit specifically claims that the new law intrudes upon Green’s rights via ambiguous and overly broad clauses that prevent city officials from any activity that might “impede, obstruct or interfere” with the state board. Penalties for such actions could include fines and removal from office. Additionally, the law mandates a yearly increase in the city’s police department budget through 2028.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has pledged his support to uphold the law. “Rather than squander taxpayer money attempting to defund the police, we advise city officials to channel their energies toward ensuring a safer St. Louis,” remarked James Lawson, a deputy chief of staff for Bailey, in correspondence with the press.
Historically, St. Louis lost full oversight of its police department as far back as 1861 during the Civil War, a period marked by Missouri’s split loyalties between Union and Confederate sympathies. St. Louis, much like Kansas City, had significant Black demographics and strong Union associations, while Confederate-aligned government entities suggested a switch to state control over local policing.
This state dominance persisted until a pivotal statewide referendum in 2012 led to the approval of a constitutional amendment permitting St. Louis to regain management of its police force. However, in the current year, Republican advocates argued for a return to state oversight to address the city’s challenges, citing issues like declining population, spikes in violent crime, and ongoing political tensions among city and state leaders.