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Date: 5/19/2022
SPRINGFIELD – The newly-assembled Police Commission discussed their progress during a May 9 Public Safety Committee meeting.
The Supreme Judicial Court ordered for the commission to be re-established in January after years in dormancy. Mayor Domenic Sarno 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.
During their first meeting on April 11, the commission named Berte as chairman of the commission while establishing some of their procedures.
Berte detailed the Police Commission’s ongoing status as an operating body during the Public Safety Committee meeting. “We’re just getting started, we’re just trying to get organized,” said Berte.
Along with their regularly scheduled meetings, Berte shared that the commission will gather with citizen councils, including the Indian Orchard Citizen’s Council in May, to discuss public questions and concerns.
Each Police Commission meeting starts in open meeting. For when disciplinary hearing meetings occur, Berte said the person in question chooses whether to remain in open meeting or go to executive session. Berte and Roldan shared that the commission is still organizing its operations and will request support from the fiscal year 2023 budget for supplies and stipends for each commissioner.
Berte said the commission is working on ways to accommodate public comments and complaints. “We’re going to come up with ideas of how people can file complaints, as well as accommodations … right now everything is either in hand, email, phone call or going to the police headquarters in person. That’s going to change in the near future,” said Berte.
The Police Commission chair also shared that they would develop quarterly reports on their work, which will be available to the public. While the commission is still organizing some details, Berte said they are ready to begin hearings with officers. A hearing was initially scheduled for May 12 before being postponed.
Berte said the commission is solely responsible for discipline at this time. The commission is conceding powers of hiring and promotion as they begin their process. “We conceded [those powers] at this time … to do all of that at once might be a recipe for not doing a very good job,” said Berte.
Each commissioner attending the meeting discussed their intentions on the Police Commission. Roldan stressed that the commission ensures equitable treatment “My view is to make sure we follow the letter of the law, and even-keeled. I want to make sure we handle everything the same way for every culture and person,” said Roldan.
Fernandez discussed honoring transparency. “I am about transparency, I am about firm and fair … there’s no hidden agenda,” said Fernandez, who also stressed that the commission will be involved with the community.
Jackson agreed on the need for transparency. “We need transparency … I know what the ins and outs [are] of doing the right thing,” said Jackson.
Members of the Public Safety Committee and City Council expressed gratitude for the Police Commissioners’ service. The council also posed several questions about the commission, including their subpoena power, their legal representation, required resource support and the commission’s oversight of Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood.
The Police Commission will meet with the Public Safety Committee on a monthly basis.