Statement from Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood

SPRINGFIELD — The following is a statement from Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood on the agreement with the Department of Justice announced today:

“We have worked closely with our Department of Justice liaisons and Springfield city officials throughout this process. The reforms that have already been implemented and those that remain in-progress and forthcoming are the culmination of years of collaboration and effort by all involved. I recognize the responsibility we have to address past issues within our department, and I thank everyone for their work to institute meaningful change that will create a better, more modern Springfield Police Department. 

“In recent years, I have worked as Superintendent to pursue and implement a number of reforms that have strengthened our agency’s policies and procedures. These changes have improved our accountability and police legitimacy in the eyes of those we serve. I’d like to thank U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins for her support and encouragement about the progress we have made in recent years.

“We have also made transparency a cornerstone of our operations. The Springfield Police Department has acquired early warning intervention software that collects and assesses data to identify trends in troublesome conduct, and I am very proud that all sworn personnel now wear body-worn cameras while on duty. Our Use-of-Force and Internal Investigations Unit policies have been modernized, and we have begun the process toward achieving the department’s first-ever, voluntary and self-initiated State Certification.

“We have already seen encouraging outcomes as a result of these reforms. In 2021 body-worn camera footage helped to resolve all seven use-of-force complaints against officers, including one against the now-former Narcotics Unit, with zero of the complaints being sustained. This work will continue in the coming years as we plan for additional changes, including a new state-of-the-art Records Management System and transforming how we respond to, report and investigate use-of-force calls.

“We remain committed to making Springfield a safer place each day, and doing so in a way that prioritizes respect, nobility and service, and builds trust within the community.  We look forward to sharing additional information in the future as we continue our work.”

###