http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/springfiel_5625.mp3
With Springfield's Police Department facing some upcoming changes in leadership, KSMU's Chasity Mayes sat down with the new Interim Police Chief to learn more.
Springfield, Missouri has a new Interim Police Chief. Ron Hartman will take over the duties of current police chief, Lynn Rowe on December 5th. Rowe will retire after 16 years of leading the city’s police department on January 15, but luckily for local citizens Hartman isn’t far behind in experience. With 23 years as a veteran of the Springfield Police Department under his belt, Hartman has been in charge of over 200 uniformed officers in 14 patrol squads. He has led multiple sectors of the department’s most vital programs including acting as the commanding officer for the Special Investigation Section as well as the Special Response Team. Hartman is a graduate of Drury University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration. He has also studied at Northwestern’s School Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy. Hartman says he feels secure with his new position and is looking forward to the challenge of being the Interim Police Chief.Although hiring Hartman is a short term solution to filling a full-time position, city officials say they are confident in Hartman’s abilities until the nationwide search for a new chief has concluded.
For KSMU News, I'm Chasity Mayes.