There has been a sudden change at the top of the largest police department in western Massachusetts.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno announced the surprise retirement of Police Commissioner John Barbieri as the department continues to struggle under the cloud of several misconduct cases.
“ It was a mutually agreeable decision and it was I believe in the best interests of the department and the city,” Sarno said. “ I want to wish John the best.”
Sarno had announced last November that he planned to negotiate a new contract for Barbieri.
Asked if he had lost confidence in Barbieri as commissioner, Sarno repeated that the retirement was mutually agreed to, and " in the best interests of the city."
Sarno appointed Deputy Police Chief Cheryl Clapprood as acting commissioner.
Clapprood, who joined the Springfield Police Department 39 years ago, said she would “ demand accountability from everyone who wears the badge.”
The department's narcotics unit is the subject of an ongoing civil rights investigation by the U.S. Justice Department.
Five police officers were arraigned on criminal charges last week stemming from their actions in an off-duty brawl in 2015. The city last year paid out $885,000 to settle federal civil rights complaints brought by four men as a result of that incident.
The city has paid out millions to settle cases of alleged police misconduct over the last few years.
The Springfield City Council has voted twice since 2016 to put a five-member commission in charge of the police department, but Mayor Sarno has refused to appoint anyone to the board.
Barbieri,56.was a member of the Springfield Police Dept. for 31 years.
