It was a tough summer for many people in our country. Large and medium cities all saw an increase in violent crimes and property crimes.
We deal with crime the best we knew how: crime analysis data and hot spot patrols, more officers with the time to do routine patrols, no limit to the overtime to bring about arrests for murders and violent attacks, a plea with courts for stricter sentencing.
Our Firearms Investigation Unit continues to seize illegal firearms at a record pace, which undoubtedly saves lives and reduces gun violence. Their investigations target dangerous suspects and proactively prevent shootings. The issue we see is far too often an individual is arrested with an illegal gun and is released on low bail or with a GPS bracelet.
Seventy-five percent of the murder suspects arrested this year had a prior gun arrest. Twenty-five percent were out on bail for a gun charge while allegedly committing a murder. Those are just the individuals that have been arrested; we suspect the unresolved cases would increase those staggering figures.
There’s also a misconception about this year’s gun violence being tied to our youth. In 2023, the average age of a homicide suspect is 34 and the average age of a homicide victim is 33.
That includes the tragedy on Berkshire Avenue with the devastating death of a 10-year-old and her grandmother. This has impacted our department and other first responders tremendously. We still have several responding officers dealing with the effects of such an abhorrent call. We have peer-to-peer officers, counselors and debriefings to try and help the officers deal with it.
A view of 174-176 Berkshire Ave. in Springfield, the scene of a shooting with multiple victims. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 8/14/2023
I know the other first responders and hospital personnel are also dealing with those emotions.
We saw homicides in August that law enforcement could not deter. Police officers are not in households where unfortunately domestic violence, drug addiction and mental illness is known only to those who reside there usually until it’s too late.
This is where community involvement and social agencies are needed. The intervention is needed from those around the family. Other family members, social workers, neighbors and parishioners need to share information, even if anonymously.
IN-SERVICE TRAINING: September starts a new in-service schedule for all members of the department. I attend the chief’s portion the middle of this month with some of my command staff. The Peace Officer Standards and Training legislation now requires all Massachusetts chiefs to attend the three-day training and understand the material being presented to all officers.
Speaking of POST, a statewide online list was released last month with officers’ internal investigation reports.
Springfield listed a high number of over 470 officers with issues from internal investigations. Springfield Police produced two lists for POST, one with everyone from all entries, including those more than seven years old, which did not have to be included unless the punishment was so significant and the officer still employed.
We also listed retraining which for as far as I can recall has not been considered discipline for our department. Going back more than 20 years ago, both unions agreed that the officer could be assigned retraining without any right of appeal because that was not to be considered discipline. It was productive because even if the actions were not in violation of a department rule or procedure, maybe there was a better practice.
Retraining of officers made sense also when we implemented a new tool or device like the body-worn cameras. When they were first deployed, I let both unions know that first violations that were minor in nature would be a retraining issue to make sure officers were clear on the functioning of the device and the new extensive policy.
Many officers and supervisors went through retraining and the major issues were the policy and the categorizing of events after recording. Those officers did not deserve to have their names listed in public as being disciplined. Anyone who received retraining did not deserve to be on that list. There were also appeals that were won, charges reduced or dropped which were not corrected — and those did not deserve to be on that list.
The second list we sent to POST involved serious discipline, including suspensions and terminations. That list deserves to be public.
At a time when retention and recruitment are at a critical stage, and when candidates to be a police officer are not knocking at our door, the timing and contents of that list was devastating.
I’m not aware of another profession doing this. I realize there is a call for transparency and accountability. I don’t believe transparency means including all officers who went through retraining to make them better officers and more knowledgeable.
ARSON CASE: This month’s example of “it wouldn’t have happened if he was incarcerated” deals with 45-year-old Lavonta Williams. He was out on bail for firearms charges and outfitted with a GPS bracelet. In late August, this suspect allegedly set a fire at a Collins Street home with people inside — and is now charged with arson and attempted murder.
ETC.: My heart goes out to Hartford detective Bobby Garten, who was killed when a teenager fled from a traffic stop and crashed into Garten’s cruiser.
Congratulations to Jackie Gaw after more than 37 years as a victim witness advocate in both Hampden and Hampshire counties.
And congratulations as well to Detective Maria Siciliano on her retirement. Best wishes for a happy and healthy second chapter of life, my friend.
Cheryl Clapprood is superintendent of the Springfield Police Department.
