image from cagle.com

If enacted, the legislation would abolish the city’s Board of Police Commissioners, a governing board that includes the mayor and four members appointed by the governor. Instead the department would be run by a locally-appointed police commissioner.

Supporters of the legislation say local control will increase efficiency and accountability in the police department.

Opponents, who include police officers, say the legislation would politicize the police department. They said the legislation is also an attempt to gain control of the police pension fund, which Mayor Francis Slay and other supporters have denied.

from globe-democrat.com

Here is an article describing it all in more detail:

http://www.globe-democrat.com/news/2010/mar/01/bills-local-control-st-louis-police-moving-through/