Members have been named to a special committee charged with finding ways to improve police-community relations following misconduct scandals in the third-largest city in Massachusetts.
Springfield City Council President Orlando Ramos praised the ad hoc committee appointees as a “diverse group of people.” They include community activists, small business owners, and a Springfield police detective.
Zaida Govan, a social worker and president of the Indian Orchard Neighborhood Council, volunteered to be on the new committee.
"My concern is that the police feel the community does not appreciate them, and I want to figure out a way to let them know the community does appreciate them," she said.
The police commissioner and the mayor did not make appointments to the committee. Ramos said an appointment is pending from the Hampden District Attorney.
