SB 785 - As of August 28, 2008, the City of St. Louis may establish, by ordinance, a municipal police force. Any such ordinance shall provide for the employment of all current officers and employees at their current salaries in the newly established police force. Such persons shall also be entitled to all accrued benefits, including vacation time, sick leave, and health insurance. The ordinance shall be consistent with any regulation concerning police residency adopted by the Board of Police Commissioners prior to adoption of the ordinance. After the establishment of a municipal police force, the city may provide by ordinance for the number and ranks of police officers, compensation and benefits of such officers, and appointment, promotion, suspension, demotion, or discharge of police officers, including the police chief. Immediately upon adopting an ordinance, the city shall file a certified copy with the Secretary of State. The current state statutes concerning the St. Louis police department shall expire upon the effective date of the establishment of a municipal police force by ordinance. The city shall provide notice of the establishment of the ordinance and expiration of such statutes to the Revisor of Statutes. Any current police pension system for members of the St. Louis police department shall continued to be governed by state statute. This act is identical to SB 486 (2007). SUSAN HENDERSON MOORE