Board bill would codify St. Louis sheriff's transport duties; committee holds bill after amendments fail

Alderman Dion DeVote on Thursday introduced Board Bill 33 to the St. Louis City Public Safety Committee, proposing language that would clarify the constitutional, statutory and local duties of the City of St. Louis Sheriff's Office and specifically state that the sheriff must transport detainees who require medical or psychological treatment.

The bill's sponsor, Alderman DeVote, said the measure responds to recent budget hearings and a May 27 letter from Sheriff Montgomery indicating a suspension of some transports. DeVote cited a court filing that, he said, shows "at least 59 instances" since Jan. 1 in which the sheriff's office refused to transport detainees needing medical attention. He told the committee the ordinance would "clarify the sheriff's duties to transport detainees requiring medical attention" and require the sheriff to provide written explanations to the comptroller for certain expenditures when submitting requisitions or contracts.

DeVote said the bill is intended to accomplish four things: affirm the sheriff's powers and duties under the Missouri Constitution and statutes and city law; prohibit the sheriff from undertaking certain non-sheriff functions; clarify the transport duty so the city has no future dispute; and (by way of Amendment 2) require the sheriff to supply the comptroller a written statement that expenses are necessary to the office.

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