MO HB71

Allows any city not within a county (specifically St. Louis) to establish and maintain a municipal police force under its own authority beginning August 28, 2011, superseding the existing board of police commissioners structure.

Requires the municipal police force to employ all existing police officers and employees at current salaries with accrued benefits including vacation, sick leave, health insurance, and pensions, and to recognize residence regulations previously adopted by the board of police commissioners.

Expires all provisions of the existing police board structure (sections 84.015 through 84.340) and the terms of office of police commissioners upon the effective date of this statute.

Prohibits police department officers and employees from soliciting political contributions, engaging in political activities, using official authority to influence elections, accepting bribes for appointments, and imposes penalties including discharge, fines up to $500, and imprisonment up to six months for violations.

Makes it a class D felony for police officers to solicit firearms dealers or sellers to conduct illegal transactions or provide materially false information about transaction legality, and waives all immunity for the police department regarding violations of restrictions on official lobbying before the state legislature.