St. Louis police commissioner resigns

Intro:	A St. Louis police commissioner accused of using his position to get a family member out of jail has resigned to Gov. Jay Nixon. Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:	0:42
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Police Commissioner Vincent Bommarito was accused of using his power to get a nephew out of a drunk driving charge.

City officials and state lawmakers had called on Nixon to fire Bommarito, who was nominated to the job by former Gov. Matt Blunt.

Nixon spokesman Scott Holste says the resignation was the right thing to do.

Actuality:	HOLSTE1.WAV
Run Time:	00:06
Description: "Certainly, given the circumstances here that have developed over the past week, it was an appropriate step."

Holste wouldn't give specifics on how the governor would fill Bommarito's position on the St. Louis police board.

He says the search process will begin immediately.

The governor nominates four of the five board members, subject to Senate approval.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	The news of St. Louis police commissioner Vincent Bommarito's resignation reached top Missouri state politicians mid-day Monday. Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:	0:41
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Because the police department is under state control, Gov. Jay Nixon will nominate Bommarito's replacement.

It's up the Senate to confirm the nominee.

Republican Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields says after the Bommarito scandal, senators will take a harder look at a replacement candidate.

Actuality:	SHIELDS2.WAV
Run Time:	00:11
Description: "That can be expected. We see that all the time when there's been some notoriety or additional press around a situation. You can anticipate there's additional scrutiny by the committee."

A Nixon spokesman says the search process will begin immediately, but he didn't offer specifics.

Former Gov. Matt Blunt nominated Bommarito to the position.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	A St. Louis representative blasted Gov. Jay Nixon's handling of the Vincent Bommarito scandal. Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:	0:43
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: St. Louis Democratic Representative Jamilah Nasheed says she's not happy with the governor.

She says Nixon should've decided Bommarito's fate himself.

Actuality:	NASHEED2.WAV
Run Time:	00:07
Description: "He passed the buck and forced Bommarito to resign, which, I think he should've taken the leadership role as the governor."

Nasheed has sponsored a bill to give St. Louis control of its own police department, which is now under state control.

State control means Nixon will nominate a replacement for the police board, who will then face Senate approval.

A Nixon spokesman says Bommarito's resignation was appropriate, and that the search for a replacement will begin immediately.

Bommarito was nominated by former Gov. Matt Blunt.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.