Losing officers and recruiting good candidates for law enforcement has continued to be a number one issue for me. Just in the past few weeks, five officers have resigned for other employment.
I have never in my career seen officers who have less than 10 years on the job, leave for other career paths. The reasons are varied, but most have family and loved ones encouraging the separation. I can’t argue with this. It has been the most challenging of times for us, with so many obstacles and dangers coupled with new responsibilities and expectations, that I certainly understand why a career change looks much brighter.
I had a conversation with a long-time police instructor I admire who teaches frequently at the academy. When asked what some of the issues were for retaining these young officers, he did seem surprised when I brought up how dangerous the job has become. I understand that it has always been a dangerous profession, but an added element today is the fact that dangerous criminals are not being held while awaiting prosecution and not doing jail time.
The officer who does his job and risks his safety to apprehend an individual with an illegal and recently-fired handgun, can encounter this individual just a few months later. Only this encounter involves someone more emboldened. The no-bail, no-jail movement has piled on to the eroding of the profession.
Other significant reasons for these young officers leaving include the changes in the image of police officers, a lack of respect and residency requirements. These are difficult times.
We have a new list from civil service, and everyone is scrambling to process these applicants in hopes we can start a new academy before December. It’s a tough task. Background checks, physicals, physical fitness protocols, psychological exams and interviews take time to be done correctly. Many candidates are disqualified along the way, and the number of candidates taking those entrance exams is significantly less than just a few years ago. Our numbers are low again, and I’m sure there are many current officers who will qualify for a full retirement in January.
I was honored to be at the police commendation ceremony on Oct. 12. My talking points lately have always included the fact that we must start recognizing the good cops, those who do their best every day because, believe me, they are feeling the adversity and danger and are leaving for other careers. The officers receiving commendations went even farther above and beyond what we ask of them.
It was great to reward one of our K-9 officers, Eric Blair, and include his partner Mr. Warner in the ceremony. I am proud of all the officers recognized that night. It was wonderful to see baby Kairo and his mom. The body camera footage from the officers providing life-saving care to him is chilling.
We are working with Babson College for a middle-management development course for all sergeants and lieutenants to hopefully start in December. We are training in new software programs for better filing and enhancing our reporting. We have sent officers to diversity and bias training, while also including this training in the annual in-service programs.
The settlement coming with U.S. Department of Justice and reforms are all now in the planning stages, and supervisors will direct the different programs we need to develop.
The Firearms Investigation Unit has been very successful. Officers have taken more than 90 illegal guns off the streets since the unit’s inception. Crime suppression is difficult to measure, but the drops in crime rates, along with number of arrests and illegal weapons seized, save lives.
I helped kick off the Ride to Remember on Oct. 9. Retired Sgt. John Delaney does a wonderful job with this event to honor the memories of fallen police officers. This year, I would like to acknowledge Capt. Larry Akers, who helped escort the riders on a police motorcycle. To our knowledge he is the first captain to ride one of our Harleys in an official capacity.
The Springfield Police Patrolman’s Union Local 364 held the annual golf tournament on Sept. 24 at Ludlow Country Club. This event is in memory of Kevin Ambrose and raises money on behalf of the charity 364 Gives, which generously donates to various local non-profits.
My condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends and parishioners of Bishop Neal Boyd. He was a true gentleman and an inspirational example to all of us. Since 2016 he was one of our on-call police chaplains and always went above and beyond in that role. It’s tough to lose such a friend and supporter as Bishop Boyd was. He was a constant presence at all of our ceremonies. My last giant hug from him was at the 9/11 ceremony.
Cheryl C. Clapprood is police commissioner for the city of Springfield. Her column will appear monthly.
Editor’s note: Information on the Springfield Police Department’s community calendar is available on the department’s website, springfield-ma.gov/police, and Facebook page, Facebook.com/Springfield Police DeptMA.
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