March 1, 2022
The Springfield School Police Department is now officially commissioned by Springfield Public Schools.
At a special Oath of Office ceremony Feb. 28, 25 officers were commissioned by Board of Education President Dr. Alina Lehnert. The action brought formal and legal confirmation that the Springfield School Police Department is a district entity, with its own law enforcement force focused solely on serving Springfield Public Schools.
The step also affirms that SSPD are not only law enforcement officers, they're educators.
"You build relationships with our students that are critically important," said Dr. Lehnert. "You are an educator for our students, and you stand guard over all of us -- our teachers, our staff, our Board. We are so grateful for your service."
Previously, SSPD officers were commissioned by the Greene County Sheriff's Office, with an agreement set to end on March 1. With this change, SPS will commission its own officers in a more streamlined process, allowing the SSPD to better serve students and staff.
"Being able to commission our own officers is a huge step for our district," said Chief Jim Farrell. "But our work, our commitment to safety, our love for our kids, that doesn't change."
SPS instituted its first officer in 1968 and has been operating its own police force since the early 1990s. SPS is now the fourth school district in the state to take the step to commission its own school police officers.
