CLAYTON â The Ethical Society of Police said Friday it had no confidence in St. Louis County Police Chief Mary Barton, in part because a Black officer was reassigned shortly after speaking to the media.
The group, which advocates for racial and gender equity in the St. Louis and St. Louis County police departments, also said during a news conference Barton had not taken action to reduce racism in the department.
âChief Bartonâs long-standing pattern of delayed responses to our requests and her ineffective actions on the tough issue of systemic racism leaves us without confidence in her ability to lead the St. Louis County Police Department,â the board said in a statement.
Racial justice police group condemns St Louis County chief
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Racial justice police group condemns St Louis County chief
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And it surfaced again Thursday as Doyle addressed the Council – this time with Days as its chairwoman.
“Systemic racism exists within the St. Louis County Police Department,” he said. “As much as it pains me to say that, it must be publicly stated in order for us to begin the healing process and start the process of building trust in our communities.
“It’s also important to note that systemic racism didn’t start with the appointment of Chief Barton. Systemic racism existed long before the appointment of Chief Barton. I will go back as far as 1955 when the police department was first established. That said, we have a major opportunity here for change and progress since the Teneo Group has done most of the legwork for us.”