OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE ETHICAL SOCIETY OF POLICE

We agree that Officers must be held accountable for questionable use-of-force incidents.

However, we do not support BB47 as it stands because of concerning points in the bill that need clarification and a lack of specifics about how it will be implemented.

BB47 is an extreme measure against the remaining officers. Good officers may leave in fear of a person or persons who have a hidden agenda against law enforcement.

This bill is written based on past behaviors and situations from other cities. Officers would be held accountable for past, unacceptable behaviors of officers who no longer are a part of the SLMPD.

We feel that BB47 needs to be shelved and amended with input from all invested parties, including SLMPD and Corrections.

ABOUT THE ETHICAL SOCIETY OF POLICE

The Ethical Society of Police (ESOP) is a national voice for equality in policing, presenting their perspective as both black and “blue.” ESOP is an association of police officers, park rangers, and civilians that advocates for racial and gender equity in the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and St. Louis County Police Department. ESOP was founded in 1972 to address racial biases within law enforcement. ESOP 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 more than 370 law enforcement professionals employed by the City and County of St. Louis. ESOP membership is approximately 97% African American, but membership is open to all races, religions and sexual orientations. For details, email [email protected] or visit www.esopstl.org.