Saint Louis, Mo. — In the second law enforcement-related announcement by a Missouri elected official today, Mayor Francis Slay introduced to reporters seven citizens hoping to serve on the newly-created Civilian Oversight Board, which will independently receive and review complaints against the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
The announcement came just hours after Gov. Jay Nixon called for new training methods for the state’s police officers.
“I want to thank the citizens of the City of St. Louis who are willing to serve on this board to help enhance trust between police officers and the community,” Slay said in a statement. “These individuals have pledged to be fair and objective and to make decisions based only upon the facts and evidence before them. They must be fair to citizens and to police and must protect their rights, ensuring that civilians have a role in our police department, and increasing transparency.”
Slay submitted the list of nominees to the Board of Aldermen for approval from a group of about 50 candidate applications. The Public Safety Committee of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen will meet and vote on whether to approve the candidates at their Nov. 3 meeting. According to Slay’s office, each confirmed member must complete training as outlined in the legislation creating the COB before hearing their first case. The training is set to include understanding of human and constitutional rights, workings of the police department, investigative techniques and search warrant law. The COB was formally written into law last May when Slay signed 208CS into law.
The nominees and their biographies, as provided by Slay’s office:
District One (Wards 2, 3, 21, 27): Ciera Simril
Ciera is a 27-year-old African-American woman currently working at US Bank, a position she’s held for the last 10 months. She formerly interned at the St. Louis American. Ciera earned her B.A. in Communications from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2013. She has served as a past member of the Urban League, a past Program Coordinator for the North Newstead Association, and a current facilitator of the Neighborhood Ownership Model for the North Pointe, Walnut Park East, and Walnut Park West Neighborhoods. Ciera also received the Neighborhood Star, an award from police and the Circuit Attorneys Office, for acting as an intermediary between police and neighborhood residents who were afraid to speak to officers. Alderman Carter endorsed this candidate.
District Two (Wards 5, 6, 18, 19): Jane Abbott-Morris
Jane is a 64-year-old African-American woman, who is a self-employed business owner of “Human Resources Select Services,” serving as the president and CEO since 1999. She is also a certified Equal Employment Opportunity Investigator, examining cases of alleged discrimination based upon race, sex, disability, national origin, and religion, as well as cases of alleged harassment. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Harris Teacher’s College, an M.S. in Counseling Education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, as well as an M.S. in Public Administration from Webster University. Jane is a part of a multitude of organizations, past and present, including founding Teen Leaders & Communicators and the Grand Center Toastmaster Chapter, as well as membership in the Coalition of 100 Black Women, Association for Training and Development, NAACP, NOBLE, Top Ladies of Distinction, Human Resources Management Association, and the St. Louis Minority Business Corp.
District Three (Wards 1, 4, 22, 26): DeBorah Ahmed
DeBorah is a 59-year-old African-American woman, who has worked for Better Family Life, Inc. since 1991, currently serving as an Executive Director of the Cultural, Educational and Business Center. She earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Grinnell College, and an M.S. in Public Administration/Policy Analysis from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. In 1985, DeBorah founded Black Dance USA, a national event focused on educating about Afro/African American culture through the power of dance. She has also worked as a Program Administrator for the Missouri Touring, managed Multi-Discipline Programs for the Missouri Arts Council, and served as an executive consultant for RiverFaces. DeBorah is a resident of the 26th ward, but Alderman Kennedy endorsed this candidate.
District Four (Wards 7, 8, 9, 17): Lawrence C. Johnson
Lawrence is a 68-year-old African-American man, who is currently retired. He earned a B.A. from St. Olaf College, and a J.D. from Boston College Law. Lawrence is a retired hearing officer at the Illinois Department of Human Services. In 2007, he and his family moved to the City of St. Louis from Springfield, Ill, where Lawrence chaired the Human Relations Task Force. Lawrence is past president and current board member of the Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association and was instrumental in leading and communicating with his neighborhood during civil unrest. Alderman Conway endorsed this candidate.
District Five (Wards 11, 12, 13, 16): Bradley T. Arteaga
Brad Arteaga is a 49-year-old Caucasian man, who is the owner of “Arteaga Photos Ltd,” which he has operated in the City since 1984. He is the past presidents of both the Southtown Business Association and the St. Louis Hill Neighborhood Association. He currently serves as a board member of the St. Louis Second District Police Business Association. Brad grew up in the Baden neighborhood before moving to St. Louis Hills. Alderman Baringer endorsed this candidate.
District Six (Wards 14, 15, 20, 25): Heather Highland
Heather is a 39-year-old Hispanic woman, who has been a defense attorney for Fredman & Fredman P.C. since 2000. She earned her B.A. in Spanish and Criminology from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and a law degree from Saint Louis University. Heather is a member of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, has been featured in “CLOUT: Influential Pol, Pals, and Pundits,” and is a member of Join Hands and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. Aldermen Green, Spencer, and Cohn endorsed this candidate.
District Seven (Wards 10, 23, 24, 28): Stephen Rovak
Steve is a 67-year-old Caucasian man, who is a current partner at Dentons US LLP. He is a former JAG officer, with 30 years commissioned service in the Air Force and Army, retiring from active reserves in 2000 with the rank of colonel. He completed a Fellowship in Forensic Medicine at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Walter Reed Medical Center, earned an M.S. in Forensic Sciences from George Washington University, and his law degree from Harvard. Steve is currently a member of the institutional review board for Washington University School of Medicine, as well as co-chair of the Mediation Committee of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution. Alderwoman Krewson endorsed this candidate.
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
