Springfield swears in four officers and promotes Ryan Westover to captain

The township held a ceremonial swearing‑in and promotion for four members of the Springfield Police Department.

Captain Ryan Westover, who was promoted in July and will oversee the patrol division, was sworn in alongside Lieutenant Daniel Caesar, Lieutenant Keith Christopher and Officer Anthony Crutcher Jr. The oath was administered publicly and each officer received remarks recounting their careers and community ties.

Officials highlighted Westover’s progression from auxiliary police work to leadership, his accreditation‑related work and award recognitions, and noted he received a master’s degree in emergency management. Westover thanked colleagues and family in brief remarks and said he intends to support and guide officers through the department’s ongoing reorganization: “I have the opportunity to be a voice of change in a profession that can quickly be criticized or judged,” he said.

Speakers including the mayor and police chief praised the new appointees’ experience in traffic enforcement, crisis response and community outreach and thanked families and peer agencies for their support. The ceremony included photographs and applause; staff said the promotions are part of a broader reorganization aimed at improving departmental capacity.