OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE ETHICAL SOCIETY OF POLICE
The Ethical Society of Police is proud to support Senate Bill 78. Returning the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department back under state control is paramount to the brave men and women in uniform and the citizens and residents we protect and serve. The decade-long experiment of local control has failed. For too long, the focus of local control has been the focus of controlling budgets rather than prioritizing the fundamental changes needed to improve the department. As a result, more energy is spent on localized debates over police presence in various communities within the city rather than supporting the men and women who do the job. State control is not about protecting the profession. It’s about protecting the people who work in the profession; those who don the badge stand up for what is right in the City of St. Louis and our great state.
The Ethical Society of Police extends its unwavering support and is proud to have worked hand in hand with Senator Nick Schroer on this vital piece of legislation. We thank him for his continued hard work and dedication to law enforcement with Senate Bill 78.
About The Ethical Society of Police
The Ethical Society of Police (ESOP) was founded in 1972 by African-American officers to address race-based discrimination in the community and with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. In 2018, the ESOP expanded to include membership for civilian and commissioned employees of law enforcement agencies within St. Louis County.
The Ethical Society of Police is an association of police officers and civilians whose mission is to bridge communications between the historically marginalized communities and law enforcement. The ESOP 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, nationalities, religions, political affiliations, sexual orientations and gender identities. For more information about the Ethical Society of Police, visit www.esopstl.org.
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