Mo. Rev. Stat. § 84.470: Permanent police force.

To enable the board of police to perform the duties imposed upon them, they are hereby authorized and required, as speedily as may be, to provide for the appointment, enrollment and employment of a permanent police force for the respective cities for which they are appointed to serve, which they shall organize, uniform, equip and arm as they may judge necessary; subject always, however, to the standards, limitations and restrictions established and set forth in sections 84.480 to 84.620.