ST. LOUIS (AP) – The first public discussion about a proposed civilian police oversight board in St. Louis was cut short after a commotion broke out in the crowd.
The Board of Alderman’s public safety committee held a hearing on the proposal Wednesday night at City Hall, where police officers and residents were packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the room. When several officers began to testify against the bill, the crowd became unsettled and noise in the room grew louder, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and KDSK-TV.
The committee chairman, Alderman Terry Kennedy, struggled to keep order, prompting Jeff Roorda, business manager of the city’s police union, to stand up and call for calm.
The crowded room then grew louder, the newspaper reported. Some in the audience began yelling, pushing and shoving as officers tried to maintain control. The commotion lasted for about 15 minutes, and the meeting ended shortly after order was restored. No one was arrested or appeared seriously injured.
“A good situation went bad,” Alderman Jeffrey Boyd said. “I’m disappointed we didn’t get through this.”