Local groups vow to uphold reforms as Springfield PD federal decree ends

All signs point to lasting gains of Springfield police reforms

Embedded. Institutionalized. Codified. Those are three words Mayor Domenic J. Sarno has been using to explain why he believes a four-year effort to reform Springfield policing will last.That will depend on people inside and outside of the department remembering a dark period in its history – and how concerted work at reform halted abuses, including the excessive use of force, by a rogue band of narcotics detectives.

Local groups vow to uphold reforms as Springfield PD federal decree ends

Three local organizations are working together to ensure ongoing accountability after a federal judge dismissed a four-year federal consent decree that had overseen the Springfield Police Department.

Judge dismisses DOJ-Springfield Police consent decree - The Reminder

Regarding the dismissed consent decree, Springfield Police Superindentend Lawrence Akers, seen here at his swearing in, said, “We’re just a much better community and a much better Police Department.”Reminder Publishing file photo SPRINGFIELD — Four years after the Springfield Police Department came under a consent decree by the federal Department of Justice resulting from a lawsuit, a judge has dismissed the oversight agreement. On May 7, United…