St. Louis police plan 'no confidence' vote on chief

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Police Officers Association plans to ask its 1,200 members if they have confidence in Chief Joe Mokwa.

Association president Kevin Ahlbrand is a sergeant on the force. He says Mokwa's leadership is being questioned over issues such as staffing, pay and benefits. He describes a, quote, "groundswell of frustration" within the group's membership.

Mokwa says he supports higher pay for officers and he values the opinions of the association.

The vote would not be binding, but organizers say it would send a message that officers are unhappy with the chief's performance. It may be a month before the final tally is forwarded to the Board of Police Commissioners.

The board has already said it will stand behind Mokwa.

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Information from: Jasmine Huda/KSDK-TV, http://www.ksdk.com