Mayor Praises Legislation Allowing The Hiring Of Police Officers Who Live Outside St. Louis

From the City of St. Louis:

September 2, 2020

"Thank you to members of the Missouri House and Senate for finally approving HCS HB 46, which lifts the City's residency requirement for police, fire, and EMS. This is a positive step toward leveling the playing field and allowing us to be more competitive in hiring, retaining, and recruiting public safety employees from a larger geographic area.

HCS HB 46 brings the City of St. Louis in line with every other law enforcement agency and jurisdiction in the entire St. Louis region that do not have residency requirements. It is also one tool we can use to address public safety at a time when the City of St. Louis has already seen more than 180 homicides this year while our police department remains stretched thin by a continued shortage of more than 140 officers.

I send my appreciation to the bipartisan coalition of lawmakers from across the state who came together to advance this important legislation, which now awaits Governor Parson's signature."

Mayor Lyda Krewson

This press release was produced by the City of St. Louis. The views expressed here are the author’s own.