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If Ferguson Dissolves Police Department, who would step in?

Scott Davidson
/
Flickr

As Ferguson prepares to do legal battle with the Justice Department, city leaders acknowledge the possibility that they might someday disband the police department and cede law enforcement to another agency.

The question is: Would anyone else want it?

A settlement agreement between the federal government and Ferguson fell apart Tuesday when the city council added seven amendments. In the eyes of the Justice Department, that amounted to rejection.

One change sought to remove the Justice Department mandates if another police agency takes over. Attorney General Loretta Lynch called that idea "unconscionable."

St. Louis County police say implications of the agreement would be a factor in any decision about whether to take over in Ferguson. Officials with neighboring police agencies declined to comment.

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