Missouri Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Dissolve Dozens of Local Police Departments

A former police officer—now an elected official with the Missouri House of Representatives—wants to force any city with a population of 5,000 or fewer inhabitants, with an area of less than two square miles, to disband its police department and contract for law enforcement services with either the county police department or a larger neighboring city.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch , Representative Justin Hill has introduced legislation that he says would increase professionalism of police in St. Louis County.

Interestingly, Hill does not directly represent the citizens of St. Louis County—his constituents are in St. Charles County.

The Republican lawmaker had submitted similar legislation last year, but the House adjourned before it could be debated or voted upon.