St. Louis sheriff reverses decision on hospital detail, faces scrutiny over budget decisions

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The St. Louis city sheriff told city leaders Monday his deputies will continue hospital detail for jail detainees, after previously announcing the service would end.

On Monday, Sheriff Alfred Montgomery found himself in the hot seat, as aldermen questioned him on everything from mass firings to pay raises.

“I was unaware of any of the issues you were having with your hospital unit prior to the public letter, and I need to say on the record—it’s ridiculous,” Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier said.

“We take responsibility for our actions. We are learning as we grow into this position. Each of my s is learning,” she added.

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SONNIER: Was there any thought of—yes, we want to increase deputy pay, but maybe we’ll do that next fiscal year to avoid a deficit?

MONTGOMERY: We were not aware of the amount of payouts until two weeks into office.

SONNIER: By that time, you had already raised pay for deputies?

MONTGOMERY: Yes.

Ward 6 Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez asked Montgomery how tornado response on May 16 falls under his office’s responsibilities, particularly if he is asking for more money to hire additional deputies.

VELAZQUEZ: It’s not a right or wrong thing, but if we’re talking about managing a department and being fiscally responsible, that’s part of the conversation.

MONTGOMERY: In a state of emergency, wasn’t it necessary to use comp time to rescue some of those people?

VELAZQUEZ: I’m asking if you authorized pay for people who don’t have the legal jurisdiction. I don’t think the sheriff’s office does.

MONTGOMERY: There’s a lot you’re asking the sheriff’s office to do—just like transporting prisoners.

VELAZQUEZ: I’m asking you to follow the law. That’s what I’m asking.

Ward 5 Alderman Matt Devoti noted that as of May 1, the sheriff’s office was operating with a $635,000 deficit.

DEVOTI: Out of that deficit, you would it $491,000 and change is due to actions you took, including the termination of 17 long-term employees?

MONTGOMERY: Yes—17 s. The same as the mayor. She brought in her own istration. I did the same thing.

Sheriff Montgomery and his team initially could not provide the cost of the medical detail. But after two hours of questioning, Alderman Matt Devoti—with help from Alderman Rasheen Aldridge—was able to get the sheriff to share that his goal is to hire 20 more deputies at a cost of $42,000 per hire. That amounts to an additional $840,000.

The sheriff’s office has already received a $1 million increase over last fiscal year’s budget.

Sheriff Montgomery told the budget committee he believes he is being treated differently as an elected official because of the color of his skin.

“I just want to address the elephant in the room, because it’s necessary,” Montgomery said. “I don’t get the same response or respect like senior alders or senior individuals in office. They look at me as another—I’ll be honest—another Black guy who just happened to take office. When I make those calls to sit down and meet, I get the cold shoulder. That’s a problem.”

He later questioned Alderman Michael Browning.

MONTGOMERY: You tell me what’s the difference between me and the mayor bringing in a new istration?

BROWNING: She’s the mayor.

MONTGOMERY: Well, I’m the sheriff.

Browning said it is difficult for the budget committee to determine what the sheriff’s department actually needs, due to inconsistent messaging and reports.

“What you’re saying is, ‘We need this money—trust us.’ It’s very hard to trust you,” Browning said.

When Montgomery left the committee hearing, First Alert 4 followed him with questions.

FIRST ALERT 4’S DAVID AMELOTTI: Sheriff, how are you able to ask for more resources when you can’t provide documentation or numbers that your department needs this?

FIRST ALERT 4: Any response to the fact that the majority of your budget deficit is a result of your decisions?

The sheriff declined to answer and closed a garage door as reporters continued asking questions.

FIRST ALERT 4: Sheriff, we do have more questions, if you would take the time to answer them.

Alderman Devoti suggested one way to clarify confusion about the sheriff’s responsibilities is for the Board of Aldermen to take up legislation this session that clearly defines the scope of the sheriff’s office.

Monday’s hearing follows a letter submitted by the Holy Joe Society—a group of area attorneys—calling on Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey to remove Montgomery as sheriff of the City of St. Louis.

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