A Senate Committee hears why the St. Louis City Police should be locally controlled
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A Senate Committee hears why the St. Louis City Police should be locally controlled

Date: March 2, 2010
By: Max Reiss
State Capitol Bureau

Intro:  St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay says if the city controls its own police department then it will save money and increase accountability.
RunTime:  0:33
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Mayor Francis Slay testified to the Senate General Laws Committee in a packed room that included St. Louis aldermen and police officers.

Slay says the city would do nothing to affect it's police officers retirement benefits.

Actuality:  SLAY1.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "I have no, no interest in getting my hands on the pension money. I will also tell you that this bill will not in any way, change that at all."

According to the mayor, state control of the department dates back to the Civil War when lawmakers were scared the department could have been used as a militia.

From the state Capitol, I'm Max Reiss, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:  Mayor Slay says local control of the St. Louis City Police is a good idea, but the department's association wants the city to stay hands off.
RunTime:  0:35
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The city of St. Louis wants control of its police department  - currently run by the state.

But Joe Steiger with the St. Louis Police Officers Association says police are scared of the influences that come with local control.

Actuality:  STEIGER1.WAV
Run Time:  00:06
Description: "The men and women of the St. Louis Police Officers Association would prefer to remain a professional police department, not a political one."

One of the St. Louis Police officers' biggest concerns is what will happen to their pensions.

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay says a locally controlled department would have nothing to do with officers retirement plans.

From the state Capital, I'm Max Reiss, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.