e 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.

Board President Chris Saracino said:  The Board's focus is on ensuring continuity of legal counsel and moving forward with the important work ahead: supporting our officers and professional staff, strengthening the department and making St. Louis safer. 

Saracino's statement did not include a timeline for naming new counsel, comment on the attorney general's investigation, Graville's call for an independent review, or the $1.2 million legal tab cited by Spencer.

First Alert 4 reached out to the Attorney General's Office about handing off the investigation and is waiting for a response.