In a letter to Eigel and other lawmakers, St. Louis police officials came out against the bill. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) argued that the protections were required in light of the threat posed by "Black Lives Matter and Antifa that are falsely accusing our police of being something other than what they are: namely, the honorable protectors of our communities."
In the run-up to the bill's passage, its sponsor, Sen. Under the bill, departments must give officers accused of misconduct prior notice of an investigation, while also imposing a 90-day limit on the investigation itself. It not only created new criminal offenses targeting protesters who block roadways, but also special protections for police officers under investigation for abuse. The bill generated widespread controversy and opposition.