Mayor Tishaura O. Jones Signs Executive Order to Strengthen Police Accountability, Collect Corrections Complaints

Today, St. Louis City Mayor Tishaura O. Jones signed Executive Order #1, which clarifies how citizen complaints regarding police and correctional misconduct are reviewed and managed.

The order requires the Internal Affairs Division at the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) and the Civilian Oversight Board to use a joint complaint form established by ordinance in 2016 under Mayor Francis Slay. In the past, SLMPD used a separate form for officer misconduct complaints that was not provided to the Civilian Oversight Board. Executive Order #1 will ensure the Civilian Oversight Board has access to all citizen initiated police complaints to carry out their responsibility to hold STLPD accountable.

“These systems were built for abuse, not accountability. If we want to rebuild trust between our communities and the police department, we cannot allow the police to investigate themselves. This Executive Order creates a clear and direct line of authority between Internal Affairs and the Civilian Oversight Board,” says Mayor Jones."

In addition, Executive Order #1 demands the Department of Corrections deliver all complaints by detainees held in the City Justice Center and Medium Security Institution, dating as far back as 2017. Last weekend, after personally witnessing unsanitary and inhumane conditions inside both facilities, Mayor Jones spoke with detainees who expressed concerns about the carelessness by which Corrections staff handled their complaints. The records demanded in the Executive Order may be reviewed by the Mayor, Director of Public Safety, Commissioner of the Civilian Oversight Board, City Counselor’s Office, and Director of Personnel, as well as designated staff members.

St. Louisans who wish to file a complaint regarding police misconduct are encouraged to call the Civilian Oversight Board at (314) 657-1600.

Documents

• Mayor Executive Order No. 1