By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – A long-debated bill before the St. Louis Board of Aldermen is still on hold, despite renewed calls for its passage.
About 50 people rallied outside City Hall Friday to back a measure to create a civilian review board to investigate claims of police brutality.
They say that would hold officers accountable for their actions.
But city lawmakers failed to bring the legislation to a full vote. Its sponsor, 18th ward alderman Terry Kennedy, says the bill provides for four elected members and three appointed ones:
"That is a significant portion of making sure that the review process is independent from both the police department and portions of the city government," Kennedy said. "Now we're talking with others to help them get a better understanding of that. At this point, we're not at a place to back off of that."
The bill needs 15 votes to pass the full board, and 20 to override a veto.
Kennedy says while Mayor Francis Slay has not directly told him he would veto the bill, he's indicated concern about electing members.