Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced today that he has appointed Springfield resident Kimberly J. Weir to the Community Police Hearing Board (CPHB).
Last year, Mayor Sarno, on the recommendations from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and Brian Corr, President of the National Association of Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) to modernize and professionalize Police Community Relations, modified his Executive Order and expanded the CPHB from seven to nine members.
Kimberly Weir brings a deep background and understanding in the field of Corrections and Mental Health having previously worked for the Connecticut Department of Correction and the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation (DMR), now the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
Ms. Weir previously worked as a Case Worker with the DMR. She went on to work as a Correction Officer for the Connecticut Department of Corrections working her way up the ranks. She would go on to serve as Deputy Warden of Operations at the Willard-Cybulski Correctional Institution in Enfield, CT and later returned to the Security Division as Director where she was responsible for the Investigations Unit, Security Risk Groups (Gangs), Phone Monitoring and Special Intelligence Units. She went on to serve as Warden at the Carlo Robinson Correctional Facility in Enfield, CT and later as Warden at the Osborn Correctional Institution until her retirement in 2017.
In addition, Ms. Weir served as a member of the Connecticut Commission on Racial & Ethnic Disparity in the Criminal Justice System, where the primary focus was to address the issue of racial and ethnic disparity in the criminal and juvenile justice system.
Ms. Weir holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in Criminal Justice and Master’s degree in Human Services focusing on Organizational Management and Leadership, both from Springfield College. In addition, Ms. Weir earned a Certificate in Supervisory Leadership from the Tunxis Community College - Criminal Justice Command Institute and completed a yearlong Addiction Counseling program with the Adcare Educational Institution / Department of Public Health and the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. Ms. Weir is also very active in the community volunteering her time with numerous organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County and Habitat for Humanity to name a few.
“As a lifelong resident of the city of Springfield, I am excited and thankful to Mayor Sarno and the city of Springfield for this new opportunity to use my talent & skills to serve right here at home,” said Ms. Weir.
Mayor Sarno stated, “I am very appreciative of Ms. Weir for agreeing to serve on this most important ‘checks and balances’ board. She is a very well respected member of our Springfield community, who comes with an outstanding career background. I know she will serve our residents and business community honorably and with distinction in this capacity.”
Mayor Sarno continued by stating that the current CPHB is a proven and modern system, which is acknowledged by nationally recognized experts, that is helping to ensure that all complaints are investigated thoroughly and fairly.
Mayor Sarno added that, “I truly believe that our efforts to assure best practices, improve our policies and practices, and take advantage of new technology, such as Tasers and Body Worn Cameras, is putting us on a path where improved trust, confidence, and effective policing will be the end product. Again, I continue to remain hopeful that our City Council will pass my proposed ordinance that will codify my Executive Order and give our CPHB subpoena powers.”
The current members of the CPHB include: Chair Attorney Ernesto Castillo; Robert C. Jackson, owner of a Security Business; former Labor Union representative and retired Human Resource manager Albert Tranghese; Retired Police Officers Pastor Gail Hill and Gary Berte, who is a Professor of Criminal Justice; and Joseph Griffin. Funeral Director and Business Owner Paul A. Phaneuf and Property Manager Linda Caron are also members.