The Missouri Senate has overwhelmingly passed a state takeover bill for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, which will now go back to the house for a final vote, with the mayor of St. Louis vowing to continue fighting against it.

Placing the St. Louis Police Department under a state-appointed board has been a priority for Gov. Mike Kehoe. The Republican governor said that removing local control will improve safety, despite the evidence in Kansas City,

Legislators are expected to pass a bill this week that would take oversight of the police away from the city. That Civil War-era approach had been ended by state voters in 2012.

The Missouri Legislature moved closer to transferring control of St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to the state with a 27-5 vote Monday by the state Senate.