SPRINGFIELD – Newly appointed Deputy Chief Cheryl Clapprood told Reminder Publications she is looking forward to her responsibilities in this new leadership position.

The promotion took effect July 9 making the 38-year veteran of the Springfield Police department the second highest ranking female officer in the city’s history – the only higher being former Police Chief Paula Meara.

According to the statement issued by Mayor Domenic Sarno’s office, she “was selected from a Civil Service promotional list promulgated through an assessment center, with her ranking appearing next, after recently retired Deputy Chief Robert Cheetham.”

Clapprood explained she is to be in charge of the uniform division of the department among other duties and called her new job “a big challenge.” She will also lead the C3 policing effort and the department’s canine officers.

One aspect of the job she would like to expand is meeting with community groups. She believes the department does “good work but is not getting recognized.”

Although she joined the department in 1979 as a cadet, she said that she “is not ready for retirement yet.”

She added, “I still enjoy the job.”

As part of her promotion, she will be moving back into the city within one year. She explained she was born in Springfield and raised on Parker Street, living there in a house near her parents for 44 years. After they passed, she moved to Southwick where she had additional room for her German Shepard.

A pinning ceremony for Clapprood has yet to be scheduled.