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Date: 3/17/2022
SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Massachusetts Senior Action would like a “do-over,” when it comes to the appointment of the new Board of Police Commissioners.
The conflict about appointees to the newly formed Board of Police Commissioners continued and escalated this week with a Springfield resident formally filing a complaint with the Massachusetts Ethics Commission and a protest on the steps of City Hall.
The quick appointment of police commissioners without input from the public nor an application process with most of the members of the previous body, the Civilian Review Board, being made members of the new board is the center of the protest. Robert “Cee” Jackson has been singled out because his security business is in the process of biding for a city contract.
The Springfield Chapter of Mass. Senior Action (MSAC) organized the protest on March 8 and member Emurriel Holloway said, “We have a vested interest in policing practices in the city.”
She added, “Mayor Sarno, we want a do-over.”
Flanked by about 30 people, she said his “hasty” appointments “is another insult to the community.”
Holloway also noted a press release the mayor issued in response to remarks from two city councilors, Justin Hurst and Tracye Whitfield, as “very offensive.”
The release said in part: “This whole charade has been orchestrated by City Councilors Justin Hurst and Tracye Whitfield and ‘they should be ashamed of themselves!’ Commissioner Jackson is a beloved and well-respected community leader, especially in our African American community. This year’s Ubora Award winner has helped out so many people, families and causes in their time of need. Under the guise of this mystery man – Jason Ray, and a few members of the local Massachusetts Senior Action group being pushed by Hurst, Whitfield, and their Boston representative, they continue to try to create controversy and inflict harm to others for their own dishonest political gain. Their antics make me sick to my stomach. I proudly and steadfastly stand by Commissioner Jackson and all of the Board of Police Commission members.”
Whitfield responded, “I’m asking Mayor Sarno for a public apology! His comments about me are simply not true and very hurtful.
“Commissioner Robert C Jackson is a longtime friend, a wonderful community leader and supporter of mine! I fully support Mr. Jackson’s appointment to the Police Commission, and I personally think he’s a great choice.
“I have already contacted Commissioner Jackson to inform him that the mayor’s insinuations are 100 percent untrue, invalidated, and destructive.
“This is nothing more than another attempt, by the mayor, to divide the Black community.
“Mayor Sarno, if you have any evidence of my involvement, produce it! Otherwise, apologize!
“The mayor may continue to criticize me, attempt to marginalize me, but he will never silence me. In the end, the truth and the facts are my best defense!”
Hurst spoke at the protest and said he has received numerous phone calls from people who wanted to serve on the board. He had contacted Sarno about the inquiries he has received.
Hurst asserted the mayor has made a “a hasty decision … as he always does.”
He also said Sarno’s remarks were an “attempt to divide the community which will fail.”
Hurst called for the commissioners to step down.
Community activist Jynai McDonald has organized an on-line petition calling for the mayor to “immediately rescind his secretive appointments to the Springfield Civilian Police Commission and to launch an open appointment process that includes input from Springfield residents and their representatives on the City Council.
That petition can be found at https://www.change.org/p/demand-a-transparent-process-for-the-civilian-police-commission-appointment-process.
In response to the controversy, Sarno said, “Retiring City Solicitor Ed Pikula and incoming City Solicitor Judge John Payne indicate to me the communication involving Mr. Jackson, has been sent to the Law Department for review. Initial review reveals the Police Department is not the contracting agency for any of the items at issue. While municipal employees are prohibited from having an interest in a municipal contract, there are numerous exemptions to this restriction. Some exemptions apply only to special municipal employees, as defined by the Conflict-of-Interest law.
Members of the Board of Police Commissioners are designated as special municipal employees. Mr. Jackson has been a longstanding member of the Community Police Hearing Board, without any conflict issue arising. Once the Law Department completes the review we will follow up with more detail.”