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Civilian Oversight commissioner warns budget cuts will slow complaint investigations amid state takeover
Summary
The Division of Civilian Oversight told the St. Louis Board of Aldermen budget committee that proposed cuts to its FY2026 budget and eliminated investigator and client-service positions would slow investigations and reduce community engagement just as state actions are reshaping police oversight.
Civilian Oversight Board Commissioner Dr. Barbara Milen told the St. Louis Board of Aldermen Budget & Public Employees Committee on May 12 that proposed reductions in the division’s FY2026 budget will slow its ability to investigate complaints and to do community outreach.
The division, Milen said, is charged under state law with receiving and investigating public complaints about the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and detention facilities and “promoting transparency, fairness, and public accountability through impartial and independent professional standards and inquiries and investigations.” She cited RSMo § 590.6532 and City Ordinance 71,749 as the division’s statutory authorities.
Milen framed the immediate impact of the proposed budget cutbacks in staffing and contracted services. “We requested independent legal counsel and funding to maintain investigator positions and a client services coordinator,” she said. She told the committee the FY2026 proposal removes two legal…
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