Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
News covering policy and issues related to city and county governments in the Ozarks.

Springfield PD Details Plans for New Officers, Council to Consider Federal Grant

Springfield Police Department

Two domestic violence investigators will be among the 10 new positions added to the Springfield Police Department.

Police Chief Paul Williams announced the details Tuesday, a day after the city was notified by the U.S. Department of Justice that it would receive federal grant funds to bring in 10 new positions.

Over a three-year period, nearly $1.2 million will be provided through the 2014 COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The city must make a local cash match of 25 percent of the cost of salaries and benefits during that span, or an estimated $400,000. Afterward, the city will assume 100 percent of the ongoing costs for the additional officers.

It has not yet been determined where the funds for the city match will come from, and City Council must approve and accept the grant.

A news release states that in addition to the domestic violence officers, a computer forensics analyst will assist with cases involving cyberstalking and other issues.

According to the city, approximately one-fourth of Springfield homicides over the last few years and the majority of aggravated assaults police respond to are domestic related.

The remaining officers would fill the following positions:

  • 4 (2 per squad) to Center City.
  • 1 crime prevention officer assisting the downtown area with programs such as Neighborhood Watch , Apartment Watch, Business Watch, Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) and Night Watch.
  • 1 Crime prevention office to expand and manage the innovative Business Watch program throughout the city.
  • 1 dedicated drug diversion investigator to work with the Narcotics Enforcement Team, along with pharmacists and others in the community to address the growing problem of the diversion of prescription medication to illegal use.

The city says the police department is actively recruiting and testing for current vacancies. According to Police Chief Williams, an academy for the grant-funded officers will take place in June 2015. That would put these new officers on the street in March 2016.

Related Content