84.600. The first employment of policemen and every policeofficer shall be for a probationary term of six months, afterwhich the chief may at his discretion extend the probationaryperiod for an additional term of six months, but no longer.During said probationary period the chief may at his discretionor at the direction of the police board discontinue theirservices at any time. Having served at least six months'probationary service to the satisfaction of the board and thechief, such policemen and police officers shall be appointed tothe police force of said city and shall thereafter be subject todischarge or removal only for cause and upon complaint being madeor charges being preferred against them, a copy of whichcomplaint or charges setting forth the ground thereof shall begiven to such policemen or police officers, not less thanforty-eight hours prior to the time the complaints or charges areto be heard by the board, and they shall have the right to appearbefore the board at a public hearing to be held within fifteendays after the filing of such complaint or charges, and beconfronted by the witnesses against them and to be defended bycounsel and the board after hearing the charges shall take a voteof yeas and nays to be entered upon the records whether or notthe charges have been sustained and what punishment, if any,shall be imposed. If the charges are found by the board to besustained by the evidence, the board may remove such policemen orpolice officers, or the board may, instead of removal, suspend,reprimand or impose a fine upon the policemen or police officers,and in any case any fine so imposed is not paid the same shall bededucted from the salary of such policemen or police officers.If complaint is made or charges preferred against a policeman orpolice officer which, in the opinion of the board, does notconstitute an offense of which the board shall take cognizance,the board shall dismiss such complaint or charges. The boardshall report all decisions on any such complaint or charges inwriting to the chief of police and to the officer or policeman.Each decision of the police board in such cases shall be finaland not subject to review by any court.
(RSMo 1939 § 7660, A.L. 1943 p. 727 § 7663)Prior revisions: 1929 § 7521; 1919 § 8932; 1909 § 9784