A plan to return the St. Louis Police Department to state control was the subject of a hearing before a state Senate committee on public safety. Joe Steiger of the St. Louis Police Officers Association was there, testifying in favor.
"I think the biggest issue that we're hoping to address, it's just the political influence from the city. Going back to state control eliminates that," Steiger said. "It would improve morale immediately, and hopefully that plays into retention and recruitment for officers going forward."
Newly-appointed St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy testified against the bill. Tracy told the panel he needs time to implement his own strategy to make the department work.
If the plan were passed by the state legislature, the department would return to state control in August.
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