left to right (Newly sworn and newly elected) Vice President Commissioner Richard Gray, (newly elected) Treasurer Commissioner Michael Gerdine D.C., (newly elected) President Betty Battle-Turner, (Newly Resigned Commissioner Todd Epsten and Mayor Commissioner Fancis G. Slay
May 19, 2010 10am - Today the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners went 'Black and will never go back' it appears. With the appointment of Commissioner Richard Gray, Executive Director of the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation, the Board make-up became 3 Blacks, Commissioner Gray, Commissioner Michael Gerdine D.C. and Commissioner Betty Battle-Turner to 2 Whites Commissioner Todd Epsten and the Mayor Francis G. Slay.
Following the swearing in of Commissioner Gray, there was a vote for officers. Commissioner Epsten was uprooted from his position of President by Commissioner Turner in a 3/2 vote, Black to White. The Mayor had nominated Commissioner Epsten and Commissioner Gerdine had nominated Commissioner Turner.
*President* Turner then went on to nominate Commissioner Gray for Vice President and he was voted in. Then Commissioner Turner nominated Commissioner Gerdine as Treasurer and he too was voted in.
Shortly after this historic moment in Black history in St. Louis, Commissioner Epsten resigned abruptly and walked out as the business of the Board went forward.
The board has been a majority Black once before, during the Mayor Freeman Bosley administration. Four of the 5 Commissioners are appointed by the Governor of Missouri with the Mayor of the city serving in the fifth position.
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