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Police advisory committee reports policy reviews, outreach and staffing gains
Summary
The Springfield Police Advisory Committee told the City Council the committee reviewed a dozen department policies in 2024, supported community outreach events and recognized department promotions while three at-large committee seats will be replaced this fall.
Tiffany Monroe, the staff liaison to the Springfield Police Advisory Committee, and Eric Adams, the committee chair, presented the committee’s 2024 report to the Springfield City Council work session. "Over the course of the year ... we were able to review 12 different policies that were presented to us by staff," Adams said, summarizing the committee’s review activity.
The committee told councilors it provided feedback on 12 department policies and served as a public-facing forum to answer community questions about those policies. Adams said public business to the committee was "pretty minimal" in 2024, and he highlighted the department’s community engagement and personnel developments. "We were very appreciative to learn about the police department's involvement in a variety of different community events ... securing grants to support equipment purchases and targeted enforcement operations, particularly around retail theft," Adams said.
Monroe and Adams thanked outgoing committee leaders and liaisons. The committee recognized Terry Dillon for her service as committee chair and noted that long-time council liaison Joe Pichneri left the liaison role in 2024; Councilor Weber will serve as the new council liaison. Adams said the committee is grateful for Chief Scherer’s work on department accreditation and recruiting efforts that helped increase staffing.
Committee members said outreach activities remain a priority for the coming year. Monroe said the committee wants "increased presence at National Night Out, perhaps Springfield Block Party" and other events where the public can engage with the department. The committee currently reports a full membership but noted three at-large seats are outgoing; applications are "in hand" and will be reviewed by council on October 27, Monroe said.
Councilors thanked committee members for volunteer service and for the committee’s work on retail theft. Councilor Rodley said the level of public interaction "comes and it goes" and praised efforts to rebuild community connections after COVID. No formal action or vote was recorded on the update.
The committee’s presentation and council discussion concluded with council members encouraging continued outreach and expressing appreciation for the report and volunteer service.
