St. Louis Appeals to Missouri Supreme Court over Controversial “Bill of Rights” Law
• The City of St. Louis wants the Missouri Supreme Court to nullify law related to police officers conduct.
• The law, if found liable of police misconduct, obligates cities to cover the costs of damages.
• The city views this law as an illegal imposition of new duties and costs on local governments.
• The State defends the law through the Assistant Attorney General.
St. Louis Challenges the Provision
St. Louis has asked the Missouri Supreme Court to throw out the law that requires cities to bear the financial responsibility when individual police officers are found liable for misconduct. The city’s lawyers argue vehemently that the regulation unlawfully places new obligations and costs on local governments.
The State’s Response
In sharp contrast, Assistant Attorney General Jason, defending the law, views it as a necessary measure to uphold the rights and protections of police officers.
The Breezy Take
A classic tug-of-war between the local and state governance is at play here. St. Louis, seeking to maintain control over its budget and how misconduct cases are handled, is in a legal showdown with the state’s defense of law enforcement’s rights. The outcome of this case is crucial because it will provide an indication of who really controls the rule of law and ultimately decide whether such burdensome financial liabilities rest with localities. This test case showcases the broader issues surrounding police misconduct, financial responsibility, and local government autonomy.
Original article: https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/27/st-louis-asks-missouri-supreme-court-to-overturn-police-bill-of-rights-law/