KMOX (St. Louis) - The St. Louis County Council adopts a resolution of "no confidence" in Police Chief Mary Barton. The 4-3 vote was done along party lines after extensive debate on Tuesday night.
The 4-3 vote, along party lines, generated extensive debate. Councilmen Tim Fitch, Mark Harder and Ernie Trakas voted no. The yes votes were from Rita Heard Days, Lisa Clancy, Kelli Dunaway, and Shalonda Webb.
Webb said she holds the St. Louis County Board of Police Commissioners and County Executive Doctor Sam Page responsible for Barton's failures. "Like my colleagues said, I don't place this all at the feet of Chief Barton, I believe she was put in a place of leadership without the support to be successful."
Councilman Fitch, a former St. Louis County Police Chief, agreed with Webb. Fitch said "when the five members of the Board of Police Commissioners unanimously voted to select Chief Barton as the next police chief of St. Louis County, shortly thereafter, can you imagine starting your career when you're chosen for such a high level position, one of your bosses, in this case the County Executive says, she wasn't my choice, I wanted someone else."
Fitch says there are problems in the department and have been for decades, even when he was chief. Councilman Mark Harder said "some people will have to be let go if they can't change, you have to change this organization from what we've heard, is Mary Barton the person that can do that, I'm not sure."
Councilwoman Lisa Clancy says "this is not just about one person, this is about a system that needs change. We need a transformational leader to meet this moment who sees the opportunities for change in our community and we need a culture within the police department that will support a transformational leader."
Councilman Ernie Trakas says "statements in this resolution amounted to nothing more than an ad hominem attack on the chief, I certainly have my issues with Chief Barton."
Chairwoman Rita Heard Days, the lead sponsor of the resolution, sent a letter to the police board back in February and says she asked them to "do their job, if you cannot do your job, and make sure that the chief has what she needs to do her job, then you need to move on."
The St. Louis County Council only has oversight of the police budget and cannot hire or fire a chief. The Board of Police Commissioners holds authority over the chief. The board is appointed by the County Executive.
The St. Louis County Police Association's Executive Director Joe Patterson is not ready to declare no confidence in Chief Barton. Patterson tells KMOX, he's waiting for a survey from his members.
However, Patterson says the Association shares many of the concerns voiced by council members and the Ethical Society of Police. Patterson was asked about alleged retaliatory action against County Officer Shanette Hall, who was transferred from Human Resources back to the patrol division following an interview she did with a national media outlet. Patterson said, "while that has yet to be seen, and it very well, and may end being the case, it hints at a larger issue inside the St. Louis County Police Department, as where we believe, and our members believe, that retaliatory transfers do in fact occur."
Patterson says "transferring officers strictly comes from command in the department. The division commanders have the ability to transfer their officers around to different police precincts, but the chief of police ultimately signs the personnel order authorizing that transfer."
Patterson wants to give the police board a chance to be a part of transformational change inside the County Police Department. He would like the board to be more visible and vocal about exercising their authority.
Patterson says the County Police Association's 915 members consist of minority officers and command staff.
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