The Little Rock City Council has rejected a proposal to require newly hired police officers to live within city limits.
The council voted 6-4 Tuesday night against the residency requirement following nearly two hours of discussion and public comment.
Councilwoman Erma Hendrix says her proposal was designed to better race relations following high-profile police shootings of black men. She says only 21 percent of the city's 354 white officers live in Little Rock.
Fraternal Order of Police Vice President John Gilchrist says a residency requirement wouldn't change community relations.
Opponents say officers choose to live outside of the community because of school quality and living costs.
Council members who voted against the requirement say they would consider adopting incentives to encourage all Little Rock employees to live within the city.
