By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – A St. Louis Alderwoman wants an investigation of the city police department.
Democrat Irene Smith says recent revelations about the use of memos to record some crimes instead of formal police reports point to larger problems.
Police say they've ended the practice. But Smith says it is probably more widespread than first thought.
"The mayor was fully aware of the mishap relative to crime statistics," Smith said, "...yet he still held a press conference talking about crime was down in the city of St. Louis."
The mayor has no direct authority over the department, but sits on the board of Police Commissioners.
Smith wants the aldermanic public safety committee to hold hearings on the matter.
Smith is seeking her party's nomination in the mayoral race, along with school board member Bill Haas and incumbent Francis Slay.