SPRINGFIELD — The Board of Police Commissioners is looking for feedback from Springfield residents on the manual they intend to use for their work.
First Associate City Solicitor Devon Grierson told the committee Wednesday that a draft of the manual is available for online review on the Police Department’s website in both English and Spanish.
The manual is a collaborative effort by the city, commissioners and the U.S. Department of Justice.
The commissioners are responsible for disciplinary oversight of the employees of the city’s police department.
All five members of the commission are appointed by Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who was previously not in favor of the board, said it would “rehash the same political squabbles that occurred more than 100 years ago.”
He vetoed the City Council’s vote to establish the board in 2016. This caused a legal debacle that began in 2020 and concluded in 2022. In 2021, Judge Francis E. Flannery ruled in favor of the council’s 2018 ordinance to establish a police commission, which existed for around a century before it was eliminated in 2005.
The purpose of the manual is to list in detail the purpose and responsibilities of the board.
The draft states that within five days of the opening of an investigative case, the board will acknowledge the complaint and the Springfield Police Department employee who is the subject of it.
Additionally, board members must individually review the entire investigative file before determining whether to hold a hearing on the complaint.
The draft states that board members are not permitted to discuss their review of the files outside of a meeting.
Grierson said residents can share comments on the manual until Aug. 31 by going to the board’s page on the Police Department website.
“We’re also going to be having a community outreach meeting on Zoom, which will be on Aug. 17,” Grierson said. “We’ll also take input from the commissioners that we will incorporate.”
Grierson said he doesn’t know whether the Department of Justice or the city will host the outreach meeting.
He added, “Within a month after that (meeting), we should have a final draft.”
First Associate Devon Grierson provides an update on the progress of the Board of Police Commissioners Manual. (Jonah Snowden / The Republican)
Meanwhile, Sarno told The Republican he heard only one comment has been submitted on the draft of the manual through City Solicitor John Payne Thursday.
Each board member shared thoughts Wednesday on the draft of the manual, at the request of resident Tracey Carpenter.
Board member Madeline Fernandez said she believes needed topics were covered in the manual and encouraged city residents to review it and offer feedback.
Newly named board member Christy Torres also urged residents to look at the draft. She said she has been carrying the draft with her to become further acquainted with her new role.
Robert “Cee” Jackson, who was elected board vice chairperson during the meeting, termed the draft “excellent.” He too called for residents to read the draft, saying it’s what the board will use when “things get going.”
Board member Gary Berte said his main concern going forward is whether there will need to be a modification of the manual.
Albert Tranghese, who was elected chairperson of the board, called for openness in how the panel operates.
“The only time we will not be transparent, in my opinion, is when we have to go to executive session,” Tranghese said.
Tranghese said he wants residents of Springfield to understand that the panel aims to do what’s best for the city.
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