Springfield Police Department to reallocate funds from vacant positions

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — In a Springfield City Council meeting on Monday, May 5, Springfield Police Department Chief Paul Williams proposed a bill that would reallocate $930,132 dollars from vacant positions within the department.

According to Williams, the Springfield Police Department (SPD) normally averages 20-25 vacancies a year.

For the last couple of years, however, they are up to 60 unfilled positions.

If approved by City Council, the money would be distributed to nine projects:

• New tactical entry vests
• Drone and remote deck
• Recruitment and marketing campaign expenses
• Ammunition for special response team
• Replacement of the wooden floor in the headquarters gym
• Exterior Insulation and Finish System at headquarters
• Replacement of 30 outdated desktop computers
• Simulation system for the new SRT weapons
• Red dot pistol sights for all officers

City Council will vote the bill on May 19th.