Police

Council members were opposed to the cost and called them unnecessary, but changed their position when the police chief said the cameras are essential equipment.

“St. Clair County is big enough,” Kern said while county sheriff deputies argue the requirement that officers live within the county makes it difficult for them to recruit new ones.

The Social Workers for St. Louis Initiative aims to connect nonviolent people experiencing mental health crises with trained health care workers — rather than police officers.

An internal investigation reviewed by the Illinois State Police and the local NAACP found the officer used restraint. Families of the teen girls disagree.

The city had required some full-time city employees to relocate inside city limits within 15 months of starting their job, but last month, the city council voted unanimously to relax residency requirements for nonunion and non-appointed city employees. Now they’re considering doing the same for mayor-appointed employees.

Chief Chris Locke issued the statement on Facebook a week after the incident and complained that news coverage was inaccurate but has refused to say how.

The police department says it’s investigating the officer’s use of force but declined to identify the officer.

A ban on chokeholds, expanded police background checks and higher pay for most county sheriffs are in the bipartisan, compromise bill.

Activists hope the data will attract more attention and action on issues of police brutality and the need for reform.

The Ethical Society of Police has sent 25 recommendations to address systemic racism to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the city’s Department of Personnel.