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Springfield Police Commission schedules Oct. 23 training, reviews disciplinary process and civilian-oversight options
Summary
The Springfield Police Commission approved minutes for three September meetings and scheduled trainings, while discussing civilian-oversight membership and clarifying local disciplinary procedures.
The Springfield Police Commission approved minutes for its Sept. 10, Sept. 17 and Sept. 24 meetings and set upcoming training dates, City attorney Kathleen Craft said at the commission’s latest meeting.
Craft told commissioners that she and an outside instructor will deliver a training on Oct. 23 covering the civil service disciplinary statute, case dispositions (such as "sustained" and "unfounded"), burdens of proof, business-relationship considerations and the arbitration process. She said the training will also describe the two avenues an officer may use to appeal an adverse decision: the civil service commission or arbitration.
Craft said the Oct. 23 session may overlap with live-fire training at a nearby range; commissioners discussed whether the noise would be disruptive and decided to proceed with the date. Commissioners also discussed a tentative Nov. 20 training date. Both sessions were described as starting at 6:00 p.m.
The commission discussed joining or contracting with a national civilian-oversight organization that provides information and speakers. Attorney Breck said the cost to the city was "about $500," and commissioners asked staff to reach out for more information and to consider inviting a representative to a future meeting.
Commissioners also reviewed how disciplinary cases move through department processes. A commission speaker summarized the local disciplinary statute and said a hearing is not required for suspensions of five days or less; cases with potential discipline greater than five days are reviewed by the commission. Commissioners were urged to contact investigators in the internal investigations unit for clarifications on particular cases, including matters discussed in executive session.
Commission staff said a draft oversight-and-improvement report is circulating; staff will email copies to commissioners individually for comment rather than in a group, and requested written feedback.
Votes at a glance - Motion to approve minutes for Sept. 10: Motion: "I—9ll make a motion to approve the minutes for September 10." Mover: unnamed commissioner; Second: unnamed commissioner. Vote: Commissioner Fernandez: yes; Mr. Jackson: yes; Mr. Finn: yes; Mr. Harris: yes; Mr. Kennedy: yes. Outcome: approved. - Motion to approve minutes for Sept. 17: Motion: "I—9ll make a motion to approve the minutes for September 17." Mover: unnamed commissioner; Second: none recorded. Vote: Commissioner Fernandez: yes; Mr. Jackson: yes; Mr. Finn: yes; Mr. Harris: yes; Mr. Kennedy: yes. Outcome: approved. - Motion to approve minutes for Sept. 24: Motion: "I make a motion to approve the minutes from September 24." Mover: unnamed commissioner; Second: unnamed commissioner. Vote recorded: Commissioner Fernandez: yes; Mr. Jackson: yes; Mr. Finn: yes; Mr. Harris: yes; Mr. Kennedy: yes. Outcome: approved. - Motion to adjourn: Motion: "I—9ll make a motion to adjourn." Mover: unnamed commissioner; Second: unnamed commissioner. Vote recorded: Commissioner Fernandez: yes; Commissioner Jackson: yes; Mr. Harris: yes; Mr. Francis: yes. Outcome: approved.
The meeting closed after routine business and no public comments were recorded at this session.
