At its May 14 meeting, the Bi-State Safety and Security Committee discussed a proposed agreement between Bi-State Development (BSD) and the City of St. Louis Sheriff’s Office to bolster law enforcement presence on the transit system.
Historically, Metro Transit law enforcement services within the City of St. Louis have been provided through an agreement with the St. louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD). The current one-year agreement with SLMPD is set to expire on June 30, 2026. However, according to Kevin Scott, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Security for Bi-State Development, staffing challenges within SLMPD have made it difficult for the department to meet the agreement’s staffing requirements both now and in the immediate future.
To address these concerns, BSD staff recommended entering into an agreement with the City of St. Louis Sheriff’s Office to provide sustained, high-visibility patrols on MetroLink trains, station platforms, and transit centers within the City of St. Louis. The Sheriff’s Office would coordinate directly with Metro Transit Public Safety, the St. Louis County Police, and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department.
The current Bi-State agreement with SLMPD was structured as a one-year contract due to the transition to State of Missouri control. The agreement was intended to provide one Captain, one Sergeant and three Police Officers at a cost of $785,686.80. Currently, the staffing level includes one Captain, one Sergeant and one Police Officer.
Under the proposed plan, Bi-State Development would terminate the existing SLMPD agreement and seek approval of a new two-year agreement with the City of St. Louis Sheriff’s Office. The proposed staffing structure would include one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, and eight Deputies.
Bi-State Development has budgeted $1.2 million for fiscal year 2027 to support the effort. Year one of the proposed Sheriff’s Office agreement would total $921,262.32, including a one-time startup cost of $77,988.32 for uniforms, duty gear, firearms, less lethal equipment, and portable radios. Year two of the agreement would total $843,274.00.
If approved by the Safety and Security Committee, the proposal would advance to the Bi-State Development Board of Commissioners for final approval.
