As your constituent, I am writing to encourage you to oppose an important piece of legislation that affects St. Louis City Police Officers and the citizens of St. Louis.  House Bill 1601 would allow the city of St. Louis to establish its’ own police force.  In theory this may sound like a reasonable idea.  However, if you look at the overall motives behind this legislation you will find that it is not within the best interests of Police Officers or the citizens they have sworn to protect and serve.

 

Local control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department under the current antiquated structure of the St. Louis City government would severely detract from officers’ abilities to perform their daily duties. This interference would jeopardize investigations and hinder neighborhood policing tactics, which ultimately affects the lives of the citizens of the City of St. Louis and those who visit our great city. 

 

 The City cannot explain how local control will make the St. Louis Police Department a better, more efficient department.  Crime has fallen over the last three years thanks in part to the diligent efforts of the members of St. Louis Police Department. 

 

The Police Retirement System is over 90% funded.  It is worth over $600 million dollars and is the true purpose the City wants control of the Police Force.  The officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department currently contribute 7% of their salary to their pension system.  Local control of the Police Department will lead to control of the Police Pension and subsequently destroy the health of the system as occurred with the Springfield, MO. Police and Fire Retirement System when that city took control of their pension.      

 

St. Louis City government has direct fiscal oversight of the SLMPD; it sets the Police Department’s budget.  The Mayor is an Ex-Officio member of the Board of Police Commissioners. The mayor has input into every decision made. The remaining four members are prominent St. Louis City residents.

 

Local control of the St. Louis Police Department and the Police Retirement System will negatively impact the City’s ability to recruit and retain quality police personnel, as well as other City staff.

 

The men and women of the St. Louis Police Department need your help to ensure that our Police Force remains in State control.  As your constituent, I ask that you please oppose any legislation relating to local control of the Police Department or local control of the Police Pension system.

 

Sincerely,

 

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