CALVERTON PARK, Mo. — The city of Calverton Park's police force will be absorbed by the neighboring Florissant Police Department next month, officials confirmed Friday.
The city held an emergency council meeting Friday afternoon, voting 4-0 to allow the Florissant Police Department to take over the city's police department starting Aug. 1.
The Calverton Park Police Department consists of a chief and four officers who serve a population of about 1,200, according to Mayor James Paunovich. The small municipality covers an area of about .4 square miles and is bordered by the larger cities of Florissant, Ferguson and Hazelwood.
Paunovich cited economic hardship and an inability to find officers to fill positions as reasons he asked Florissant to take over. The current starting pay for a Calverton Park police officer is $38,000.
Paunovich said the economic toll from the pandemic hit Calverton Park hard, and the city took out a $200,000 state loan "just to stay afloat."
The city still owes $125,000 on that loan, which Paunovich said the state is asking to be repaid by September — something the mayor said the city cannot afford to do. Paunovich said he plans to write a letter Monday asking the state for an extension.
Calverton Park's officers and its chief will have the opportunity to apply for positions within the Florissant Police Department, Paunovich said.