SPRINGFIELD – More police officers on the street with greater access to state of the art technology are key components of a plan Police Commissioner John Barbieri outlined to boost both downtown and neighborhood policing efforts at a press conference on March 16.

The first element of the plan will be a new police academy class of cadets to graduate 59 officers. The academy class would start in May and the officers could be deployed as early as November, the commissioner said. The cost of the new academy class will be split between funds in the current budget and the proposed budget for the next fiscal year.

The additional 59 officers will bring the force up to 424 police officers and 80 supervisors. The commissioner added the new officers will be trained in the C-3 community policing model as well as de-escalating techniques to prevent violence.

He stressed the renewed emphasis on public safety downtown will not affect police presence in the city’s neighborhoods.

Mayor Domenic Sarno said the academy is the largest since the Clinton Administration. The difference between this academy and the one 20 years ago is the new officers are not being paid by a federal grant, but by a budget the city can sustain.

“Is it sustainable?” Sarno asked rhetorically. “It is sustainable.”

Sarno said the expansion of the tax base is allowing the increasing of both officers and technologies. He added the commissioner is planning to get ahead of attrition issues in the Police Department as well as addressing public safety concerns in neighborhoods and being prepared for the influx of people into downtown that will be created first by the opening of Union Station, followed by MGM Springfield casino.

Barbieri said part of the plan is to give officers greater real-time information through www.Crimereports.com, which also be available to the public as part of an effort to provide greater transparency to the department.    

“Crime is increasingly complex,” Barbieri said. He added the police need the participation of the public to improve its efficiency of operations.

Officers will have access to a Crimeview Dashboard on their laptops and mobile devices, allowing additional information.

Barbieri also noted he has shifted the ratio of officers from 49 percent serving in bureau and 51 percent on the street to 25 percent in bureaus and a75 percent on the street.

Both Barbieri and Chief Development Officer Kevin Kennedy see the new public safety plan as economic development efforts.

Barbieri noted there would be four police booths located in areas of the downtown. These booths will be heated and air-conditioned and will have computer access to allow officers to be seen by the public as well as a headquarters for patrol activities. The booths will cost about $100,000 and there will be emergency contact stations also installed throughout downtown.

The commissioner said the department has considered what would be the best way for officers to patrol the downtown. He said it will be a combination of walking tours as well as the use of “hybrid motorcycles” that can even go up and down stairs.

Sarno also criticized both the courts and the correctional system for allowing too many repeat offenders back on to the city’s streets.

“Because of their lack of personal and family responsibilities, it is also imperative that our court and jail systems hold these negative individuals and keep them off of our streets and out of our neighborhoods – ‘there’s plenty of room at the inn.’”

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