The city of Springfield is announcing the selection of a compliance evaluator which will oversee a consent decree from the U.S. Justice Department.
The settlement reached in April resolved claims that the Springfield Police Department's narcotics bureau engaged in a pattern of excessive force.
The SPD must improve policies and training related to use-of-force, and the department must also supervise its officers better.
Mayor Sarno states, “First, I want to thank US Attorney Rachael Rollins and her DOJ team for their efforts working with my dedicated city team throughout this process. I commend the selection of O’Toole Associates as the compliance evaluator. The members of O’Toole Associates, including President and Found Kathleen O’Toole, retired Police Chief Rodney Monroe – who I have recently met with, and Attorney Natalia Delgado all have an extensive and impressive background and experience in policing practices, management, oversight, reform and enhancing community engagement. They have shown to hold true to the highest ethics, standards and expertise in law enforcement and demonstrate a commitment and capacity to ensure constitutional policing. Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, City Solicitor Judge John Payne and I are looking forward to working with them as we continue to move our Springfield Police Department forward, building upon the many policing reforms, program and initiatives we have already implemented, for the betterment of all our residents and business community in striking the delicate balance of public safety and cop accountability.”
The city and the DOJ have selected O'Toole Associates, LLC, founded by former Boston police commissioner Kathleen O'Toole, for the compliance evaluator job.