In an interesting debate that made the headlines in St. Louis today, Mayor Tishaura Jones signed Board Bill 47 which makes police officers more accountable by assigning a civilian review board to cases and complaints.
The Ethical Society of Police founded in 1972 by African-American Officers to address race-based discrimination in the community the Department is not happy with the ordinance and states they were not in the loop about it and it has the potential to affect innocent police officers of wrongdoing.
On their FB page, the police organization stated …
“Today, the City of St. Louis Board Bill 47 was signed. Though ESOP along with the other two labor unions opposed the bill, we understand the need for a civilian oversight board.
We were never brought to the table to provide insight for the bill, which was written too broadly. We’ve had discussions with the other two labor unions and are in agreement that there needs to be fair representation in amending the bill. ESOP is concerned that, if it is not implemented carefully, good officers could be targeted by persons with a hidden agenda against law enforcement.
Board of The Ethical Society of Police”
Mayor Tishaura Jones of St. Louis responded ..
“That’s not true and is a bold-faced LIE. We’ve been talking about this bill for nearly a year. Ald Clark Hubbard had 3 hearings and you didn’t show up and testify. I had quarterly meetings with your leadership and no one said a word. Again, if you’re a good officer, you have nothing to worry about. I thought ESOP stood for holding bad actors accountable? I think you should give the law a chance to work before suggesting amendments. Be blessed.”
The Police Organization then responded…
“Tishaura O. Jones It is not our intent to publicly debate the extent to which input from our organization and others was sought during the crafting of this legislation. Our only intent is to ensure this legislation doesn’t have an unintended negative impact on the Department and the community. Waiting until damage has been done is neither wise nor an attribute of an effective leader.
We strongly object to the Mayor’s unprofessional response and attempt to degrade our organizational values or marginalize our commitment to the fair and equitable treatment of the community we serve. ESOP has been and will always be about accountability, and we welcome an oversight board.
We are calling for the thoughtful implementation of this bill and input from organizations that represent constituents. This should be welcome, not controversial.”
To which the mayor responded …
“Ethical Society of Police – ESOP You don’t want to publicly debate this but you made a public statement on a public platform and didn’t attend any of the public hearings to publicly express your thoughts and insight about the bill when it was being debated…in public.
Might I add that your former president, who is now the Deputy Public Safety Director, was at the table for almost every discussion of this bill. I frequently heard her push back and change several provisions with every day officers in mind. Heather brings her entire lived experience as an officer and as former president of ESOP to the table with her every single day. Are you also saying that
