St. Louis Board Votes to Create Police Oversight Panel

St. Louis will create a civilian oversight board to review complaints against police, the Board of Alderman decided Monday, though it will have limited powers, reports the Associated Press .

The 18-7 vote, with two abstentions, creates a seven-person St. Louis Civilian Oversight Board, which will make recommendations but cannot discipline officers. It will review evidence and witness statements from police internal affairs investigations, then report its findings to the public safety director and police chief.

Some aldermen said it wasn't enough, especially because the oversight board will lack subpoena power. But Alderman Antonio French, one of several bill sponsors, said that while it isn't perfect, it's a start.

"This hopefully will be one step toward re-establishing trust of police in the community," French said.