Mokwa controversy emphasizes police independence from City Hall

ST. LOUIS — As controversy swirled around the city's top cop last week, members of the Board of Aldermen had little or nothing to tell their constituents. They were not included in the discussion about whether Police Chief Joe Mokwa should stay or go, a move he made under pressure Friday. Aldermen were also not part of the decision to give Mokwa a generous severance package — one year's salary plus paying for his legal counsel — even though city taxpayers will foot the bill. Aldermen considered holding investigative hearings, but had no power to compel Mokwa or other officers to show. "They can tell us no," said Alderman Terry Kennedy, head of the board's Public Safety Committee. Mokwa stepped down amid a federal investigation into why a towing company that does business with the department allowed his estranged daughter and... [read full story]