SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — In an announcement on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lawrence Akers was named the new Springfield Police Superintendent and the department’s first Black superintendent in its history.
Akers has served as a Springfield police officer for over 37 years. He was promoted to his previous position of Provisional Deputy Chief in May 2023.
Previously, Akers was in the Motorcycle and Traffic Unit as well as a supervisor in the Special Victims Unit.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno made the announcement on Jan. 15, using Martin Luther King Jr. Day to honor Springfield Police’s first Black superintendent.
Akers said he was thankful for the opportunity and will have an open-door policy with Springfield residents. As a native of Springfield, he said that he understands the problems the city faces and will work to solve them.
Akers acknowledged the 31 murders in the city last year, saying that the increasing murder rates are a national trend as well as a Springfield issue.
Later this year, Akers will officially take over for current Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, who is retiring at the mandatory retirement age of 65 at the end of her contract on April 30.
WBZ’s John Baibak (@JohnBaibak) reports:
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