ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - St. Louis County officials are expressing concerns about comments made by the new St. Louis County Police Chief, who says she doesn't believe systemic racism exists within the police department.
Chief Mary Barton told that to the County Council on Tuesday and Dr. Laurie Punch of the St. Louis County Board of Police Commissioners is among those who have since questioned whether Barton could effectively lead the department, given her views.
Punch said during a Board of Police Commissioners meeting that she is concerned that "some people in this room" don't believe that racism is present in this community.
Chief Barton told council members on Tuesday, she did not believe there was systemic racism in the department. However, she did admit there is a "racial divide in this police department."
"To say that we haven’t really done anything I don’t really think is a fair assessment," Barton says. "I believe that we have done as much as we possibly can in as short amount of time with no one working and then the protest coming up. So it has been a time constraint and it’s an absolute priority here."
She says the protests are being driven by racism, but she takes exception to those who say it's being ignored in St. Louis County. Barton told the commissioners she wants to move forward and engage in fair and equitable policing, and welcomes the audit and citizen input, regardless if it's positive or negative.
Barton was sworn in on May 1, after the retirement of Chief Jon Belmar.
St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page wants an audit of the Police Department's use of force policies.
Barton told the Board of Police Commissioners, while she appreciates Dr. Page's input, an audit was done months ago.