Ciera Simril Public Figure

09/07/2026

This Thursday, join Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression for their monthly meeting, where we will get updates about the struggle for local control of the St. Louis Police Department. Joining us will be Louisa Lyles from the Division of Civilian Oversight, Ciera Simril from the Civilian Oversight Board, Janeka Hayden from the Office of the President, and Brianna Coppersmith from ArchCity Defenders.

04/15/2026

Yesterday, I spoke on the 2024 police shooting of Emeshyon Wilkins and shared my perspective.

As more details continue to come out, it’s heavy. Not just as someone in this work, but as a member of this community.

My sincere sympathy is with the Wilkins family as they are forced to relive this moment. No family should have to carry that kind of pain so publicly.

These situations are happening far too often. We owe our communities accountability, transparency and a system where people can call for help without fear.

This work is not easy, but it’s necessary and I remain committed to it.

Deposition records and body camera footage raise new questions in the 2024 shooting death of 17-year-old Emeshyon Wilkins by a St. Louis police officer.

04/09/2026

I’ve taken a step back from social media but not from the work.

Behind the scenes, the commitment hasn’t changed. The conversations are still happening. The advocacy is still real and the responsibility I accepted to serve this city remains just that a responsibility.

This moment in St. Louis is critical. Conversations around civilian oversight are not theoretical they impact real people, real families, and real outcomes. As we’re seeing, the structure and authority of oversight continue to be challenged, and in some cases, limited.

There are no do overs when you’re dealing with people’s lives.

Public safety must always come first but it cannot come at the cost of trust. No one should ever have to question whether calling for help could put them in harm’s way.

I will always stand on what I signed up to do: advocate for accountability, transparency, and a system that protects everyone.

Whether visible or not, the work continues.

St. Louis' Civilian Oversight Board — formed after Ferguson to address police misconduct — has lost its authority after the city's police returned to state control.

But longtime board member Ciera Simril said it’s not over yet and encourages the state board to engage with city residents.

Simril reflected on the Civilian Oversight Board’s impact and brought a message for the state’s new Board of Police Commissioners.

Read more: https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2026-04-09/no-do-overs-when-youre-dealing-with-peoples-lives-says-police-oversight-board-chair