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Date: 12/6/2022
SPRINGFIELD – Mayor Domenic Sarno and City Council President Jesse Lederman expressed concern with the execution of a Nov. 22 hearing from the newly implemented Police Commission. The commission decided to reinstate patrolmen Christian Cicero and Daniel Billingsley, who were convicted in March for an off-duty assault and battery outside of Nathan Bill’s Bar and Restaurant in 2015. The decision was made despite two members of the five-person commission being unavailable.
Cicero and Billingsley were ultimately sentenced to two years of probation in April. Both also received suspended jail sentences of one year and nine months respectively, but they will only serve those sentences if their parole is violated.
Background
The Supreme Judicial Court ordered for the commission to be reestablished via a consent decree in January after years of dormancy. The court’s ruling came after a disagreement between the City Council and Sarno about the commission’s reinstatement caused the council to pursue a legal resolution.
Sarno then appointed five members to the commission in March: Civilian Community Police Hearing Board member Albert Tranghese, former School Committee member Norman Roldan, security business owner Robert C. Jackson, Hampden County Sheriff Department employee Madeline Fernandez and professor of Criminal Justice at Springfield College Dr. Gary Berte.
So far, the Police Commission has endured initial challenges. Members of the Police Commission expressed frustration to the City Council during a Sept. 19 Public Safety Subcommittee. Berte, the Police Commission’s chairperson, cited a lack of resources, such as technology and inaccessible contact information, as hindrances to their process.
“I’m not trying to make excuses, but we do need support and we do need resources,” said Berte during the meeting.
The City Council then met on Oct. 5 to discuss the Police Commission’s ongoing status. Members of the council aired frustrations about several issues, such as the implementation of the Department of Justice’s consent decree, systematic concerns within the Springfield Police Department and equitable legal representation for the Police Commission. Members of the Police Commission were not present for this meeting.
Police Commission decision
During the executive session Police Commission hearing on Nov. 22, the commission voted 2-1 in favor of reappointing Cicero and Billingsley. Berte and Tranghese voted in favor of the reappointment, while Fernandez voted against it.
The decision reignited concerns from city leaders. Lederman issues a press release on Nov. 23 detailing his grievances with the decision.
“The decision made last night by the Board of Police Commissioners without proper notice and without the full membership of their body present and voting was not appropriate or in line with their stated mission,” said Lederman.
Lederman reflected on the City Council’s efforts to establish the Police Commission. While the commission provides a more transparent process for police review, Lederman stressed that the Police Commission is still lacking in some areas.
“The City Council’s efforts to secure the existence of the Police Commission is the reason that this decision was made publicly and therefore came to light so quickly, however, it is also demonstrative of the concerns the council has raised with the board’s implementation in recent months regarding the need for clear policies, procedures, and administrative and legal support to be established by the administration,” said Lederman.
Lederman expressed that the commission’s ruling was “unreflective” of their intended role in the community.
“The Police Commission is meant to ensure the public and members of the department can rely on a consistent, professional, and transparent decision making process and execution of justice. In this instance, the process appears unclear, out of order, and unreflective of the institutions purpose,” said Lederman.
Lederman concluded his remarks by calling for Sarno to review his appointments for the Police Commission and the process behind the commission’s recent hearing.
“In light of this serious shortcoming, the mayor [Sarno] should review his appointments to this body and determine who allowed this to take place,” said Lederman.
Sarno expressed his grievances with the decision in a statement sent to Reminder Publishing.
“Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, myself and our Springfield Police Department continue to work so hard on enhancing and building community trust and simply put, this decision erodes our work.”
Sarno continued, “I am dismayed on why this hearing and decision to reinstate these officers went forward with only three Police Commission members present. Although they met the requirements for a quorum under their rules and regulations, this serious matter should have been heard before the full complement of the Board of Police Commissioners.”
The mayor stressed that the Police Commission’s decision does not lead to an immediate reinstatement for the patrolmen. Following the hearing, Sarno said that Clapprood will send their mandatory police certification application to the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST). POST will then conduct a review to determine if either will receive certification.
If they receive accreditation, Sarno said both patrolmen will have to “complete numerous in-service trainings and be updated on the many new policies and procedures” since last serving in the department five years ago. One of the new policies implemented by Clapprood includes the mandatory use of body cameras for all officers.
Sarno will also direct City Solicitor John Payne to “review their suspended sentences status issued from Superior Court to determine if they are indeed legally eligible to return to duty under the conditions of their suspended sentences.” In addition, the mayor said the Police Commission’s decision does not afford back pay to either individual.
Going forward, Sarno said that the Springfield Police Department is focused on continual growth.
“Superintendent Clapprood and her leadership team will continue to focus their efforts on the many reforms, initiatives, professionalism and leadership training, and support and community programs that will continue to enhance police-community relations and our Springfield Police Department moving forward so that they can better serve our Springfield community,” said Sarno.