22-03-2025
SLMPD state control bill would also hold sheriff to higher standards
Note: This video is from March 12, 2025.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The bill for the state to take control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is one step away from being put into law by Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe. But one extra line in the bill would force the sheriff to have additional training before taking office.
Missouri House Bill 495, sponsored by Rep. Brad Christ, R-Sunset Hills, states that 'the sheriff of any city not within a county shall be required to hold a valid peace officer license pursuant to chapter 590 within two years of being elected as sheriff.'
According to the Missouri Department of Public Safety, in order to be eligible for applying, they must meet the following requirements:
21 years of age or older
Is a U.S. citizen
Holds valid high school diploma or equivalent
Graduate of Basic Law Enforcement Training Center
Passes the Missouri Peace Officer License Exam
No criminal history
Applicants must complete a minimum of 600 hours in training in the state of Missouri, but some academies, such as the MSHP, require double the amount, according to Department of Public Safety Communications Director Mike O'Connell.
The minimum basic training includes subject areas legal studies, interpersonal perspectives, technical studies and skill development.
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Currently, the City of St. Louis has the following requirements to run for sheriff:
U.S. Citizen
Resident of the city for one year
Taxpayer in City of St. Louis
No felony convictions
This part of the bill comes at a time when new St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery is facing lawsuits and scrutiny less than four months into his term.
Former sheriff's deputy Darryl Wilson was working security at a south St. Louis gas station when he said Montgomery arrived and told him he was under arrest. Wilson said Montgomery also demanded his security license and personal gun.
Additionally, attorneys stated last month that Montgomery lied when confronted about making an employee roll dice to keep his job.
Most recently, St. Louis Jail Commissioner Tammy Ross filed a lawsuit against Montgomery earlier this month for allegedly detaining Ross for refusing access to an inmate. The sheriff reportedly wanted his department to interview an alleged rape victim, whom police spokesman Mitch McCoy said was off-limits after police had conducted an interview.
Kehoe is expected to sign the bill into law on March 24.
FOX 2 reached out to bill sponsor Brad Christ and Sheriff Alfred Montgomery for comment, but neither has responded upon publication of this story.
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