Who: Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood, City Solicitor Attorney Ed Pikula, Health Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Retired State Supreme Court Chief Justice Roderick Ireland, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Attorney Talia Gee, CPHB Members, and Mayoral Aide Lavar Click
What: Community Outreach Event on Police Reforms
When: Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Where: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic the Community Outreach on Police Community Relations and Reforms will be conducted virtually via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Office of Communication Facebook page
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno continues to hold a series of community outreach public forums on police reform. Mayor Sarno will join with Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood, City Solicitor Attorney Ed Pikula, Health Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Retired State Supreme Court Chief Justice Roderick Ireland, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Attorney Talia Gee, Community Police Hearing Board (CPHB) Members, and Mayoral Aide Lavar Click, as the City of Springfield continues a respectful dialogue with key community stakeholders on meaningful police community relations and reforms.
Mayor Sarno states, “These ongoing sessions will continue discussion and will allow key stakeholders within our diverse community input on enhancing police/community relations. Commissioner Clapprood and I have implemented a number of new reform initiatives from body worn cameras being worn by all police officers, including the revamped Narcotics Division; creating the Office of Racial Equity under Health and Human Services (HHS) Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris; having mental health workers (Behavior Health Network) on the street to assist our police officers; having under our Health and Human Services Department street gang outreach workers (Mission Inc. – Brother Johnnie Muhammad) to intervene, defuse and mediate street gang violence.”
“In addition, my administration has sponsored measures to give our Civilian Community Police Hearing Board (CPHB) subpoena powers, and extending the timeframe for a police complaint to be reviewed from 90 days to 120 days – these two initiatives and reforms are currently pending before the City Council for their approval,” said Mayor Sarno. “We have also continued to work collaboratively with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and with retired Chief State Supreme Court Justice and Springfield native Roderick Ireland. His continued advice, wisdom and guidance have been invaluable to me. There is more work to be done. We are looking forward to again hearing from our community members and organizations – any and all are welcomed. Again, invited to participate will be the NAACP, Urban League, City Council, Pioneer Valley Project, New North Citizens Council, police representatives, Arise for Social Justice, Council of Churches, our local state delegation, School Committee members, and of course our residents and business community.”
Retired Chief Justice Ireland stated, "Getting feedback from the public is a critically important part of the city of Springfield's effort to reform the police department. We want to understand your thoughts and feelings about how to make things better. The city is not claiming that everything is great now and you can go about your business. No, we are asking for your input so that we can go forward, together, in partnership, to make the changes that you think need to be done. We are here to listen and learn. We want all the citizens of Springfield -- all of the stakeholders, starting with the community, but also including the business sector, the elected officials, the churches, the many community organizations, and the police themselves, to participate. So, please join us on December 19th. We would love to hear from you."
Those wishing to participate can pre-register by contacting the Mayor’s Office at (413) 787-6100 or by email at wbaker@springfieldcityhall.com, meshea@springfieldcityhall.com or lclick@springfieldcityhall.com
For those wishing to participate, FocusSpringfield will be providing the Zoom link, which will be posted on the City’s website and on the Office of Communications Facebook page in the near future.
The program can be viewed on Channel 17 on Springfield’s Comcast Cable Channel and online at http://focusspringfield.com/watch/government. In addition, the program will also be livestreamed on the City of Springfield’s Office of Communications Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CityofSpringfieldMA.