In the official statement below, The Ethical Society of Police addresses the historic signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the St. Louis County Police Department and the Ethical Society of Police – St. Louis County Chapter.
“It is the first time since established in 1955 that St. Louis County Police Department and its governing body has recognized that its employees from historically marginalized groups have unique life’s experiences and perspectives from which to draw upon for valuable input.”
LINK TO PDF OF THE STATEMENT
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE ETHICAL SOCIETY OF POLICE
On Tuesday, June 30, 2020, the St. Louis County Board of Police Commissioners held a special meeting wherein a Memorandum of Understanding between the St. Louis County Police Department and the Ethical Society of Police – St. Louis County Chapter was ratified by signatures from Chief Mary Barton and Board Chairman Ray Price. County Executive Sam Page had previously signed the MOU on June 19, 2020.
This is a significant milestone in the Department’s history. It is the first time since established in 1955 that St. Louis County Police Department and its governing body has recognized that its employees from historically marginalized groups have unique life’s experiences and perspectives from which to draw upon for valuable input and have agreed to allow ESOP to be that representative voice.
Although this agreement comes after over a year of opposition from various entities and negotiations, we remain optimistic and eager to work collectively with all interested parties to improve upon the practices and policies that often prove to be barriers for fairness, equity and inclusion for all.
— The Ethical Society of Police
ABOUT THE ETHICAL SOCIETY OF POLICE
The Ethical Society of Police (E.S.O.P.) is an association of police officers, park rangers, and civilians that advocates for racial and gender equity in the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) and St. Louis County Police Department. The E.S.O.P. was founded in 1972 to address racial biases within law enforcement. The E.S.O.P. also works to improve community/police relations, develop policies and programs to reduce crime, elevate the status of minority civilians and police officers, encourage greater minority employment by law enforcement agencies, and increase professionalism in law enforcement. Membership is open to all races and includes nearly 300 law enforcement professionals employed by the City and County of St. Louis. For details, call (314) 690-3565, email [email protected] or visit www.esopstl.org.
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CLICK HERE FOR PDF OF THE STATEMENT
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