MO SB535

Allows any city not within a county (specifically St. Louis) to establish a municipal police force on or after January 1, 2013, transferring control from the state Board of Police Commissioners to city government.

Requires the city to employ all existing police commissioners' personnel without reduction in rank, salary, or benefits, recognize their years of service, and provide equivalent pension and insurance benefits.

Mandates the city charter be amended to repeal residency requirements for employees and limits residency requirements to no more than seven years.

Prohibits state and political subdivision officials from impeding, obstructing, or interfering with the municipal police force, with penalties of $15,000 per offense and permanent disqualification from government employment.

Provides whistleblower protection for municipal police force employees reporting illegal conduct and establishes a transition committee to coordinate the transfer of assets, operations, and obligations from the state board to the city.