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Springfield Police superintendent urges council to approve $61.7 million FY26 police budget to sustain patrols and tech upgrades

3281013 · May 13, 2025

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Summary

Superintendent Adam Akers asked the City Council to approve the mayor’s recommended $61,727,315 police budget, stressing the funding supports recruit classes, walking patrols and implementation of the Axon technology suite. He said the budget would fund 514 sworn positions on paper and the department hopes to grow toward 550 over time.

Superintendent Adam Akers asked Springfield City Council members on May 12 to approve the mayor’s recommended FY26 police budget, saying the $61,727,315 proposal funds recruitment, community walking patrols and a recently approved Axon technology contract.

Akers thanked the mayor and CAFO for funding and for finding room in the budget for the Axon purchase he described as essential. He said the department plans recruit classes to address vacancies and train existing staff, and told councilors the budget would support 514 sworn positions on paper; he said current staffing is about 30 officers short and has fluctuated throughout the year because of retirements and promotions.

Councilors asked about walking patrols, recent academy graduations and vehicle and technology plans. Akers described walking patrols as a force multiplier that improves community relations and said the department intends to continue them within the lean budget by reallocating overtime and other resources. He said the recent graduating class numbered 45 and that the department expects to fund a recruit class of 30 to 50 under the proposed budget, with initial hires funded beginning Nov. 1 in the budget model.

Akers said the Axon contract is a five-year acquisition that covers body-worn cameras and related upgrades; he called the vendor “one of the best companies” for those needs and said the contract was intended to smooth upgrade costs over multiple years. On vehicles, Akers said the department operates the city’s largest and most-used fleet, that he was open to consolidated planning but needed more details before taking a position, and that vehicle use is continuous and mission-critical.

Several councilors, including Councilors Santanella, Clegg Bruce and Delgado, expressed support for the department and encouraged Akers to return to the council with additional resource requests when needed. Akers said the department will pursue grants and other external funding as well.