ST. LOUIS (AP) – The St. Louis police union president says rank-and-file officers don’t favor local control.

Since 1861, the St. Louis police force has been overseen by a five-person board consisting of the mayor and four members appointed by the governor. Proposition A would allow the city of St. Louis to take over the administration of the Police Department.

But St. Louis Police Officers Association president David Bonenberger urges a “no” vote in a letter addressed to Missouri voters.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that he alleges that thousands of voters who signed petitions to place the issue on the ballot were duped into believing that officers support it.

Union executive board members have endorsed the initiative. The panel is calling for an emergency meeting early next week to discuss the matter.

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