Congressman Calls For Investigation Into St. Louis Police

ST. LOUIS, MO — After a federal judge ruled Wednesday that police in St. Louis may not used chemicals like mace or pepper spray to shut down protests or punish protesters, a U.S. Congressman is calling for an investigation. Rep. William Lacy Clay wrote to the new U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, Jeffrey Jensen, that he is "deeply troubled" by allegations made against the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Jensen was sworn in last month after being appointed by President Trump. St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson and Interim Police Chief Lawrence O'Toole have also asked for investigations.

The American Civil Liberties Union Of Missouri sued police last month for what the group claimed were unconstitutional actions at recent protests throughout the city. The allegations included arbitrary arrests, indiscriminate use of chemical irritants, and a controversial tactic known as "kettling," where protesters are asked to disperse then prevented from doing so and arrested en masse. One such mass arrest in September swept up bystanders, journalists and protesters alike.

U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry issued a preliminary injunction Wednesday preventing police from declaring an assembly unlawful unless there is an imminent threat of violence, and said that the ACLU's case is likely to succeed. Protesters called the move encouraging.

Judge Perry's decision comes as the city continues to search for a new police chief. A spokesman for Mayor Lyda Krewson said the list has been narrowed to 10 applicants who will be interviewed by members of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Citizens' Advisory Committee, the mayor, and the public safety director. Final interviews are expected by the middle of December.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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