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ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Questions are being raised about who should investigate the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners after the board's attorney resigned and called for an independent review.

Chris Graville, the now-former attorney for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department board, served in the role for 18 months. In a letter sent over the weekend, Graville said he provided  sound legal advice  during his tenure.

 I believe this to be in the board's best interest now that my legal advice - which I stand by - has become the subject of a political controversy,  Graville wrote.

Graville also called for a wider, independent review of how the Board of Police Commissioners operates.

Mayor Cara Spencer reacted to the resignation in a statement.

 St. Louis taxpayers have paid a county law firm to fight against the very city that pays its bills. Today that tab stands at over $1.2 million,  Spencer said.

The situation also drew comment from Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who posted on social media:  Rarely in recent Missouri politics and governance has a policy change failed as spectacularly as the return to state police control in the City of St. Louis. It's a boon for legal fees, and that's about it. 

Graville's resignation comes as the Missouri Attorney General's office investigates the police board's approval of a six-figure raise for Chief Robert Tracy and possible violations of the state's open meetings law.

The board approved the raise during a closed-door meeting on the morning of Oct. 17. The public notice for that meeting was posted just before 5 p.m. the day before.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe specifically requested Attorney General Catherine Hanaway to investigate possible sunshine violations. Currently, the Missouri Attorney General represents and defends the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) and the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners in civil litigation, statutory compliance, and state-level legal matters following the state's return of control over the police department.

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