In the wake of police misconduct allegations, city councilors in Springfield, Massachusetts have announced a proposal to have a civilian board oversee the police department.
Springfield City Council President Mike Fenton said the proposed Board of Police Commissioners would have the power to hire, fire, and discipline police officers. Those duties are currently handled by Police Commissioner John Barbieri, who is sometimes advised by a civilian hearing board.
Fenton said a police commission will bring transparency and fairness to police oversight.
" We believe that with enacting this legislation it will restore and preserve the good name of the Springfield Police Department," Fenton said.
The police department has been tarnished by revelations that a detective threatened to kill and plant drug evidence on two teenagers during an interrogation that was video-recorded. Barbieri has been sharply criticized for not firing the detective.
Fenton said the council will take an initial vote Monday on the ordinance to establish the police commission. He said 10 councilors – a so-called “super majority” – have co-sponsored the ordinance making it impervious to a mayoral-veto.
Mayor Domenic Sarno has spoken out in the past against a proposed civilian police commission.
Fenton said the police commission may not take effect until 2019 when Barbieri’s current employment contract with the city expires.
