Case: United States v. Springfield Police Department

3:22-cv-30043 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: April 13, 2022

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On April 13, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) brought this case against the the City of Springfield and the Springfield Police Department (SPD) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 42 U.S.C. § 14141. This case was borne out of an investigation into the SPD’s Narcotics Bureau opened in April 2018 by the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. Following the investigation, the DOJ issued a letter in July 2020 d…

On April 13, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) brought this case against the the City of Springfield and the Springfield Police Department (SPD) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 42 U.S.C. § 14141. This case was borne out of an investigation into the SPD’s Narcotics Bureau opened in April 2018 by the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. Following the investigation, the DOJ issued a letter in July 2020 detailing its finding that there was reasonable cause to believe that narcotics officers engaged in a pattern or practice of excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment. 

After the DOJ’s findings were made public, several events relevant to this case and its ultimate settlement occurred. In July 2021, recognizing the issues present within the Narcotics Bureau, the Springfield Police Commissioner announced that he was disbanding the bureau and reassigning officers focused on drug crimes to a newly-created Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU). Moreover, in February 2022, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued a ruling in a separate case that the Springfield Municipal Code obliges the city to establish a civilian police commission to oversee SPD.

In its April 2022 complaint, the DOJ alleged that narcotics officers escalated encounters by punching individuals in the head areas with closed fists, conducted unnecessarily forceful takedowns, and either failed to report use of force incidents or made reports inconsistent with other available evidence. The DOJ sought declaratory and injunctive relief, including a requirement for the defendants to adopt and implement policies, procedures, training, accountability systems, and practices to eliminate the unlawful conduct. 

Along with the complaint, the parties also filed a joint motion to enter a consent decree resolving this litigation. Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson granted the parties’ motion and approved and entered the proposed consent decree on April 29, 2022. Among other provisions, the consent decree required officers to report all incidents of force, including punches and kicks, and intervene to prevent the unreasonable use of force; established investigative guidelines for uses of force in accordance with how the level of force is categorized in the Massachusetts Police Training Commission’s use of force continuum; required SPD to appoint an attorney who is not a sworn officer to work alongside the head of Internal Investigations Unit and ensure that complaints are properly classified and investigations are thoroughly conducted and properly documented; and required SPD to create an Early Intervention System as a management tool to promote supervisory awareness, proactively identify problematic behavior among officers, and ensure that appropriate interventions occur before discipline is required. The decree provided for the appointment of a compliance evaluator tasked with conducting audits to assess the city’s and SPD’s compliance; conducting outcome measurements to determine if the decree is resulting in sustained constitutional policing with respect to use of force; providing technical assistance to the city and SPD; and issuing regular public reports. The consent decree is scheduled to terminate when the city has achieved and maintained substantial and effective compliance for two consecutive years. The parties stipulated that it was anticipated that SPD will have achieved and maintained for two years substantial and effective compliance within four years of the consent decreee’s effective date.

The parties selected as the lead compliance evaluator Kathleen O’Toole, who most recently served as the Chief of Police in Seattle, Washington from 2014-2018. O’Toole previously served as Massachusetts Secretary of Public Safety and as Commissioner of the Boston Police Department. The first two reports submitted by the compliance evaluation team (CET) were generally positive in nature as implementation of the agreement began. However, the CET identified numerous challenges relating to 1) Board of Police Commissioners’ manual and training; 2) implementation capacity and inability to meet deadlines; 3) collective bargaining and delays due to the negotiation of a new supervisors’ contract; and 4) community engagement. In its most recent monitoring report, submitted in August 2024, the CET noted the city and SPD had made significant progress in attaining compliance, particularly in the development of critical policies and manuals, and also noted improvements in SPD’s relationships with community members and organizations.

As of February 2025, the compliance monitoring process remains ongoing.

Summary Authors

Richa Bijlani (6/21/2022)

Logan Moore (3/21/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63232410/parties/united-states-v-springfield-police-department/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Cummings, Torey B. (Massachusetts)

Jean-Johnson, Ariona Renee (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Defendant

Buoniconti, Stephen (Massachusetts)

deSousa, Lisa C. (Massachusetts)

Grierson, Devon W. (Massachusetts)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Findings of Investigation into Narcotics Bureau of Springfield, Massachusetts Police Department

Investigation of the Springfield, Massachusetts Police Department’s Narcotics Bureau

No Court

July 8, 2020

July 8, 2020

Findings Letter/Report

Justice Department Announces Findings of Investigation into Narcotics Bureau of Springfield, Massachusetts Police Department

No Court

July 8, 2020

July 8, 2020

Press Release
2-1

3:22-cv-30043

Settlement Agreement

April 13, 2022

April 13, 2022

Settlement Agreement

Justice Department Reaches Agreement with City of Springfield to Reform Police Department’s Unconstitutional Practices

No Court

April 13, 2022

April 13, 2022

Press Release
1

3:22-cv-30043

Complaint

April 13, 2022

April 13, 2022

Complaint

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Announces Consent Decree with City of Springfield, Massachusetts

No Court

April 13, 2022

April 13, 2022

Press Release

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63232410/united-states-v-springfield-police-department/

Last updated Aug. 5, 2025, 3:43 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants (Fee Status: US Government), filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 04/13/2022)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

April 13, 2022

April 13, 2022

Clearinghouse
2

Joint MOTION to Approve Consent Judgment by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Settlement Agreement, # 2 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order)(Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 04/13/2022)

1

View on RECAP

April 13, 2022

April 13, 2022

Clearinghouse
3

Joint MEMORANDUM in Support re 2 Joint MOTION to Approve Consent Judgment filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 04/13/2022)

April 13, 2022

April 13, 2022

RECAP
4

NOTICE of Case Assignment. Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson assigned to case. Plaintiff's counsel, or defendant's counsel if this case was initiated by the filing of a Notice of Removal, are directed to the Notice and Procedures regarding Consent to Proceed before the Magistrate Judge which can be downloaded here. These documents will be mailed to counsel not receiving notice electronically. Pursuant to General Order 09-3, until the Court receives for filing either a consent to the Magistrate Judge's jurisdiction or the reassignment of the case to a District Judge, the initial assignment of a civil case to the Magistrate Judge is a referral to the Magistrate Judge under 28 USC 636(b) for all pretrial non-dispositive matters and Report and Recommendations, but not for the Rule 16(b) scheduling conference. (Finn, Mary) (Entered: 04/14/2022)

April 14, 2022

April 14, 2022

PACER
5

Summons Issued as to City of Springfield, Springfield Police Department. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should download this summons, complete one for each defendant and serve it in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P. 4 and LR 4.1. Summons will be mailed to plaintiff(s) not receiving notice electronically for completion of service.. (Finn, Mary) (Entered: 04/14/2022)

April 14, 2022

April 14, 2022

PACER
6

NOTICE re 1 Complaint ELECTRONIC NOTICE TO COUNSEL: Counsel shall complete and file in PDF format a Local Category Form. The form can be found on the court's website under Resources/Forms. Counsel will use the event under Other Documents- Civil Cover Sheet & Category Sheet. (Finn, Mary) (Entered: 04/14/2022)

April 14, 2022

April 14, 2022

PACER
7

Civil Cover Sheet & Category Sheet re 1 Complaint by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 04/14/2022)

April 14, 2022

April 14, 2022

PACER
8

NOTICE of Appearance by Torey B. Cummings on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Cummings, Torey) (Entered: 04/14/2022)

April 14, 2022

April 14, 2022

PACER
9

NOTICE of Appearance by Jennifer A. Serafyn on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Serafyn, Jennifer) (Entered: 04/14/2022)

April 14, 2022

April 14, 2022

PACER

Notice of Case Assignment to a Magistrate Judge

April 14, 2022

April 14, 2022

PACER

Notice - Other

April 14, 2022

April 14, 2022

PACER
10

CONSENT by all parties to Jurisdiction by US Magistrate Judge by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.. (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 04/15/2022)

April 15, 2022

April 15, 2022

PACER
11

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. All Defendants. (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 04/15/2022)

April 15, 2022

April 15, 2022

PACER
12

NOTICE of Appearance by Lisa C. deSousa on behalf of City of Springfield, Springfield Police Department (deSousa, Lisa) (Entered: 04/20/2022)

April 20, 2022

April 20, 2022

PACER
13

NOTICE of Appearance by Edward M. Pikula on behalf of City of Springfield (Pikula, Edward) (Entered: 04/22/2022)

April 22, 2022

April 22, 2022

PACER
14

NOTICE of Appearance by F. Nicole Porter on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Porter, F.) (Entered: 04/22/2022)

April 22, 2022

April 22, 2022

PACER
15

Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 2 Motion to Approve Consent Judgment. A separate order shall issue. (Zamorski, Michael) (Entered: 04/29/2022)

April 29, 2022

April 29, 2022

PACER
16

Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: ORDER entered. See attached order for complete details.(Zamorski, Michael) (Entered: 04/29/2022)

April 29, 2022

April 29, 2022

RECAP

Order on Motion to Approve Consent Judgment

April 29, 2022

April 29, 2022

PACER
17

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Hearing ISSUED: A Status Conference is set for 6/6/2022 at 11:00 AM in Remote Proceeding : Springfield before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. If unavailable, counsel are to confer regarding availability, come up with three mutually agreed upon dates and so notify the Court for rescheduling.This hearing will be conducted by video conference. Counsel of record will receive a video conference invite at the email registered in CM/ECF. If you have technical or compatibility issues with the technology, please notify the session's courtroom deputy as soon as possible.Access to the hearing will be made available to the media and public. In order to gain access to the hearing, you must sign up at the following address: https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/courtlist.html. For questions regarding access to hearings, you may refer to the Court's general orders and public notices available on www.mad.uscourts.gov or contact media@mad.uscourts.gov. (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 05/04/2022)

May 4, 2022

May 4, 2022

PACER
18

NOTICE of Appearance by Ariona Renee Jean-Johnson on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Jean-Johnson, Ariona) (Entered: 05/04/2022)

May 4, 2022

May 4, 2022

PACER

Notice of Hearing

May 4, 2022

May 4, 2022

PACER
19

JOINT STATEMENT of counsel . (Attachments: # 1 Appendix A)(Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 06/03/2022)

June 3, 2022

June 3, 2022

RECAP
20

NOTICE of Appearance by John M. Payne, Jr on behalf of City of Springfield and Springfield Police Department. (Zamorski, Michael) (Entered: 06/06/2022)

June 6, 2022

June 6, 2022

PACER
21

Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: Status Conference by Video held on 6/6/2022. Attorneys Present: Ariona Renee Jean-Johnson, Jennifer A. Serafyn, Michelle L. Leung, John M. Payne, Jr. and Edward M. Pikula. Colloquy re: status of the case. Counsel are to jointly file a proposed schedule. Status Conference set for 10/25/2022 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. (Court Reporter: Digital Recording. To order a copy of this Digital Recording, please go to https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/transcripts.htm#audio-recordings . For a transcript of this proceeding, contact Katelyn Coppola by email at mad_transcripts@mad.uscourts.gov.) (Rivera, Melissa) Modified on 6/8/2022 to correct location and name. (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 06/08/2022)

June 6, 2022

June 6, 2022

PACER

Status Conference

June 8, 2022

June 8, 2022

PACER
22

JOINT STATEMENT of counsel proposing status conference schedule. (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 06/22/2022)

June 22, 2022

June 22, 2022

PACER
23

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Hearing ISSUED: The Court adopts the parties' proposed schedule. A Status Conference is set for 8/3/2022 at 3:30 PM in Remote Proceeding : Springfield** before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE AS TO TIME ONLY). A Status Conference is set for 10/25/2022 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. A Status Conference is set for 1/18/2023 at 3:00 PM in Remote Proceeding : Springfield** before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. A Status Conference is set for 4/12/2023 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. A Status Conference is set for 7/19/2023 at 3:00 PM in Remote Proceeding : Springfield** before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. **These hearings will be conducted by video conference. Counsel of record will receive a video conference invite at the email registered in CM/ECF. If you have technical or compatibility issues with the technology, please notify the session's courtroom deputy as soon as possible.Access to the hearing will be made available to the media and public. In order to gain access to the hearing, you must sign up at the following address: https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/courtlist.html. For questions regarding access to hearings, you may refer to the Court's general orders and public notices available on www.mad.uscourts.gov or contact media@mad.uscourts.gov.(Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 06/24/2022)

June 24, 2022

June 24, 2022

PACER

Notice of Hearing

June 24, 2022

June 24, 2022

PACER
24

Joint MOTION to Approve Joint Statement on Compliance Evaluator Selection by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.(Leung, Michelle) (Additional attachment(s) added on 7/29/2022: # 1 Settlement Proposal) (Rivera, Christina). (Entered: 07/28/2022)

July 28, 2022

July 28, 2022

PACER
25

Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 24 JOINT MOTION to Appoint Compliance Evaluator. (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 08/01/2022)

Aug. 1, 2022

Aug. 1, 2022

PACER

Order on Motion to Approve Joint Statement

Aug. 1, 2022

Aug. 1, 2022

PACER
26

Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: Status Conference by Video held on 8/3/2022. Attorneys Present: F. Nicole Porter, Michelle L. Leung, Torey B. Cummings, Lisa C. deSousa and Edward M. Pikula. Colloquy re: status of the case and next steps. Compliance evaluator team introduced. The next Status Conference shall remain as set for 10/25/2022 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON & REMOTE) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. (Court Reporter: Digital Recording. To order a copy of this Digital Recording, please go to https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/transcripts.htm#audio-recordings . For a transcript of this proceeding, contact Katelyn Coppola by email at mad_transcripts@mad.uscourts.gov.) (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 08/03/2022)

Aug. 3, 2022

Aug. 3, 2022

PACER

Status Conference

Aug. 3, 2022

Aug. 3, 2022

PACER
27

NOTICE of Withdrawal of Appearance by Lisa C. deSousa (deSousa, Lisa) (Entered: 08/31/2022)

Aug. 31, 2022

Aug. 31, 2022

PACER
28

NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Leung, Michelle) (Additional attachment(s) added on 10/21/2022: # 1 Exhibit) (Figueroa, Tamara). (Entered: 10/21/2022)

Oct. 21, 2022

Oct. 21, 2022

PACER
29

NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Joint Proposed Agenda for October 25, 2022 Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 10/21/2022)

Oct. 21, 2022

Oct. 21, 2022

PACER
30

Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: Status Conference held on 10/25/2022. Attorneys Present: F. Nicole Porter, Michelle L. Leung, John M. Payne, Jr. and Edward M. Pikula. Colloquy re: status of the case with Lead Compliance Evaluator Kathleen O'Toole and counsel. Public remarks heard. Further Status Conference shall remain as set for 1/18/2023 at 3:00 PM in Remote Proceeding : Springfield** before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. This hearing will be conducted by video conference. Counsel of record will receive a video conference invite at the email registered in CM/ECF. If you have technical or compatibility issues with the technology, please notify the session's courtroom deputy as soon as possible.Access to the hearing will be made available to the media and public. In order to gain access to the hearing, you must sign up at the following address: www.public.mad.uscourts.gov/seating-signup.html. For questions regarding access to hearings, you may refer to the Court's general orders and public notices available on www.mad.uscourts.gov or contact media@mad.uscourts.gov. (Court Reporter: Digital Recording. To order a copy of this Digital Recording, please go to https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/transcripts.htm#audio-recordings . For a transcript of this proceeding, contact Katelyn Coppola by email at mad_transcripts@mad.uscourts.gov.) (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 10/26/2022)

Oct. 25, 2022

Oct. 25, 2022

PACER

Status Conference

Oct. 26, 2022

Oct. 26, 2022

PACER
32

NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Joint Proposed Agenda for January 18, 2023 Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 01/17/2023)

Jan. 17, 2023

Jan. 17, 2023

RECAP
34

Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: Status Conference by Video held on 1/18/2023. Attorneys Present: Ariona Renee Jean-Johnson, F. Nicole Porter, Michelle L. Leung, Torey B. Cummings, John M. Payne, Jr. and Edward M. Pikula. Colloquy with counsel and Lead Compliance Evaluator Kathleen O'Toole re: status of the case. Contact information for the Springfield PD, DOJ and CE Team provided. Further Status Conference shall remain as set for 4/12/2023 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. (Court Reporter: Digital Recording. To order a copy of this Digital Recording, please go to https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/Audio.html . For a transcript of this proceeding, contact the Clerk's office by email at mad_transcripts@mad.uscourts.gov.) (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 01/18/2023)

Jan. 18, 2023

Jan. 18, 2023

PACER

Status Conference

Jan. 18, 2023

Jan. 18, 2023

PACER
35

NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Compliance Evaluator Team's First Monitoring Report (Attachments: # 1 Compliance Evaluator Report)(Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 02/16/2023)

1 Compliance Evaluator Report

View on PACER

Feb. 16, 2023

Feb. 16, 2023

PACER
37

ELECTRONIC NOTICE OF RESCHEDULING ISSUED: In light of the Court's unavailability due to illness and after conferring with counsel, the Status Conference is reset to 5/10/2023 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 04/11/2023)

April 11, 2023

April 11, 2023

PACER

Notice of Rescheduling

April 11, 2023

April 11, 2023

PACER
38

NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Joint Proposed Agenda for May 10, 2023 Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 05/08/2023)

May 8, 2023

May 8, 2023

PACER
40

Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: Status Conference held on 5/10/2023. Attorneys Present: F. Nicole Porter, Michelle L. Leung, John M. Payne, Jr. and Edward M. Pikula. Colloquy with counsel and Lead Compliance Evaluator Kathleen O'Toole re: status of the case.Further Status Conference is set for 7/19/2023 at 3:00 PM in Remote Proceeding : Springfield before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. The parties are to confer and jointly file a proposed schedule with further Status Conference dates. (Court Reporter: Digital Recording. To order a copy of this Digital Recording, please go to https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/Audio.html. For a transcript of this proceeding, contact mad_transcripts@mad.uscourts.gov.) (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 05/15/2023)

May 10, 2023

May 10, 2023

PACER

Status Conference

May 15, 2023

May 15, 2023

PACER
41

JOINT STATEMENT of counsel proposing status conference schedule. (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 05/31/2023)

May 31, 2023

May 31, 2023

PACER
42

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Hearing ISSUED: A Status Conference is set for 10/18/2023 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. A Status Conference is set for 1/17/2024 at 3:00 PM in Remote Proceeding : Springfield** before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. A Status Conference is set for 4/17/2024 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. A Status Conference is set for 7/17/2024 at 3:00 PM in Remote Proceeding : Springfield** before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. **These hearings will be conducted by video conference. Counsel of record will receive a video conference invite at the email registered in CM/ECF. If you have technical or compatibility issues with the technology, please notify the courtroom deputy of the session as soon as possible.Access to the hearing will be made available to the media and public. In order to gain access to the hearing, you must sign up at the following address: https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/courtlist.html.For questions regarding access to hearings, you may refer to the general orders and public notices of the Court available on www.mad.uscourts.gov or contact media@mad.uscourts.gov. (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 06/01/2023)

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

PACER

Notice of Hearing

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

PACER
43

NOTICE of Withdrawal of Appearance by Edward M. Pikula (Pikula, Edward) (Entered: 06/30/2023)

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2023

PACER
44

Transcript of Hearing held on May 10, 2023, before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. The Transcript may be purchased through the Court Reporter, viewed at the public terminal, or viewed through PACER after it is released. Court Reporter Name and Contact Information: Debra Joyce at joycedebra@gmail.com. Redaction Request due 7/26/2023. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 8/7/2023. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 10/3/2023. (McDonagh, Christina) (Entered: 07/05/2023)

July 5, 2023

July 5, 2023

PACER

Notice of Filing of Official Transcript

July 5, 2023

July 5, 2023

PACER
45

NOTICE is hereby given that an official transcript of a proceeding has been filed by the court reporter in the above-captioned matter. Counsel are referred to the Court's Transcript Redaction Policy, available on the court website at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/transcripts.htm (McDonagh, Christina) (Entered: 07/05/2023)

July 5, 2023

July 5, 2023

PACER
46

NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Joint Proposed Agenda for July 19, 2023 Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 07/17/2023)

July 17, 2023

July 17, 2023

PACER
48

Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: Status Conference by Video held on 7/19/2023. Attorneys Present: Ariona Renee Jean-Johnson, Michelle L. Leung, John M. Payne, Jr. and Kathleen Breck. Colloquy with counsel and Lead Compliance Evaluator Kathleen O'Toole regarding status of the case. All further dates converted to in-person proceedings. Status Conference set for 10/18/2023 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. Status Conference set for 1/17/2024 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. Status Conference set for 4/17/2024 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. Status Conference set for 7/17/2024 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. (Court Reporter: Digital Recording. To order a copy of this Digital Recording, please go to https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/Audio.html. For a transcript of this proceeding, contact mad_transcripts@mad.uscourts.gov.) (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 07/20/2023)

July 19, 2023

July 19, 2023

PACER

Status Conference

July 20, 2023

July 20, 2023

PACER
49

Joint MOTION to Amend Paragraphs 107-111, 265, and 274 of the Settlement Agreement by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order, # 2 FAQ Flyer)(Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 07/26/2023)

July 26, 2023

July 26, 2023

PACER
50

Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 49 JOINT MOTION to Amend Paragraphs 107-111, 265, and 274 of the Settlement Agreement. A separate order shall issue. (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 08/02/2023)

Aug. 2, 2023

Aug. 2, 2023

PACER

Order on Motion to Amend

Aug. 2, 2023

Aug. 2, 2023

PACER
51

Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: ENDORSED ORDER entered. ORDER Amending Paragraphs 107-111, 265 and 274 of the Settlement Agreement. See attached Order for complete details. (Rivera, Melissa) (Main Document 51 replaced on 8/2/2023) (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 08/02/2023)

Aug. 2, 2023

Aug. 2, 2023

PACER
52

NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Compliance Evaluator Team's Second Monitoring Report (Attachments: # 1 Compliance Evaluator Report)(Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 08/31/2023)

1 Compliance Evaluator Report

View on PACER

Aug. 31, 2023

Aug. 31, 2023

PACER
53

NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Joint Proposed Agenda for October 18, 2023 Status Conference (Porter, F.) (Entered: 10/16/2023)

Oct. 16, 2023

Oct. 16, 2023

PACER
55

Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: Status Conference held on 10/18/2023. Attorneys Present: F. Nicole Porter and John M. Payne, Jr. Colloquy with counsel and Lead Compliance Evaluator Kathleen O'Toole regarding status of the case and next steps. The next Status Conference shall remain as set for 1/17/2024 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. (Court Reporter: Digital Recording. To order a copy of this Digital Recording, please go to https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/Audio.html. For a transcript of this proceeding, contact mad_transcripts@mad.uscourts.gov.) (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 10/19/2023)

Oct. 18, 2023

Oct. 18, 2023

PACER

Status Conference

Oct. 19, 2023

Oct. 19, 2023

PACER
56

NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Joint Proposed Agenda for January 17, 2024 Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 01/16/2024)

Jan. 16, 2024

Jan. 16, 2024

PACER
59

Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: Status Conference held on 1/17/2024. Attorneys Present: Ariona Renee Jean-Johnson, Michelle L. Leung and John M. Payne, Jr. Colloquy with counsel and Lead Compliance Evaluator Kathleen O'Toole regarding status of the case and next steps. The next Status Conference shall remain as set for 4/17/2024 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. (Court Reporter: Digital Recording. To order a copy of this Digital Recording, please go to https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/Audio.html. For a transcript of this proceeding, contact mad_transcripts@mad.uscourts.gov.) (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 01/17/2024)

Jan. 17, 2024

Jan. 17, 2024

PACER

Status Conference

Jan. 17, 2024

Jan. 17, 2024

PACER
60

Transcript of Status Conference held on January 17, 2024, before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. The Transcript may be purchased through the Court Reporter, viewed at the public terminal, or viewed through PACER after it is released. Court Reporter Name and Contact Information: Linda Walsh at lwalshsteno@gmail.com. Redaction Request due 3/4/2024. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 3/14/2024. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 5/13/2024. (McDonagh, Christina) (Entered: 02/13/2024)

Feb. 12, 2024

Feb. 12, 2024

PACER
61

NOTICE is hereby given that an official transcript of a proceeding has been filed by the court reporter in the above-captioned matter. Counsel are referred to the Court's Transcript Redaction Policy, available on the court website at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/transcripts.htm (McDonagh, Christina) (Entered: 02/13/2024)

Feb. 12, 2024

Feb. 12, 2024

PACER

Notice of Filing of Official Transcript

Feb. 13, 2024

Feb. 13, 2024

PACER
62

ELECTRONIC NOTICE OF RESCHEDULING ISSUED: At the request of the parties, the date of the April Status Conference will be advanced to 4/11/2024 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. The Status Conference set for 7/17/2024 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson shall remain as set. (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 02/22/2024)

Feb. 22, 2024

Feb. 22, 2024

PACER

Notice of Rescheduling

Feb. 22, 2024

Feb. 22, 2024

PACER
63

NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Compliance Evaluator Team's Third Monitoring Report (Attachments: # 1 Compliance Evaluator Report)(Cummings, Torey) (Entered: 02/29/2024)

1 Compliance Evaluator Report

View on PACER

Feb. 29, 2024

Feb. 29, 2024

PACER
64

NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Joint Proposed Agenda for April 11, 2024 Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 04/04/2024)

April 4, 2024

April 4, 2024

PACER
65

NOTICE of Appearance by Anuj K. Khetarpal on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Khetarpal, Anuj) (Entered: 04/06/2024)

April 6, 2024

April 6, 2024

PACER
66

NOTICE of Appearance by Devon W. Grierson on behalf of City of Springfield, Springfield Police Department (Grierson, Devon) (Entered: 04/10/2024)

April 10, 2024

April 10, 2024

PACER
68

Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: Status Conference held on 4/11/2024. Attorneys Present: Anuj K. Khetarpal, F. Nicole Porter, Devon W. Grierson and John M. Payne, Jr. Colloquy with counsel and Lead Compliance Evaluator Kathleen O'Toole regarding status of the case and next steps. The next Status Conference shall remain as set for 7/17/2024 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson shall remain as set. (Court Reporter: Digital Recording. To order a copy of this Digital Recording, please go to https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/Audio.html. For a transcript of this proceeding, contact mad_transcripts@mad.uscourts.gov.) (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 04/12/2024)

April 11, 2024

April 11, 2024

PACER

Status Conference

April 12, 2024

April 12, 2024

PACER
69

Assented to MOTION to Continue Status Conference to July 24, 2024 by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.(Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 06/07/2024)

June 7, 2024

June 7, 2024

PACER
70

Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 69 Motion to Continue quarterly status conference. Status Conference set for 7/24/2024 03:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom in person only before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. (Zamorski, Michael) (Entered: 06/10/2024)

June 10, 2024

June 10, 2024

PACER

Order on Motion to Continue

June 10, 2024

June 10, 2024

PACER
71

NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Joint Proposed Agenda for July 24, 2024 Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 07/23/2024)

July 23, 2024

July 23, 2024

PACER
73

Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: Status Conference held on 7/24/2024. Attorneys Present: Ariona Renee Jean-Johnson and Devon W. Grierson. Colloquy with counsel and Lead Compliance Evaluator Kathleen O'Toole regarding status of the case and next steps. A Status Conference is set for 10/30/2024 at 3:00 PM in Hampshire Courtroom (IN PERSON) before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. (Court Reporter: Digital Recording. To order a copy of this Digital Recording, please go to https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/Audio.html. For a transcript of this proceeding, contact mad_transcripts@mad.uscourts.gov.) (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 07/24/2024)

July 24, 2024

July 24, 2024

PACER

Status Conference

July 24, 2024

July 24, 2024

PACER
74

Transcript of Status Conferencce held on July 24, 2024, before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. The Transcript may be purchased through the Court Reporter, viewed at the public terminal, or viewed through PACER after it is released. Court Reporter Name and Contact Information: Linda Walsh at lwalshsteno@gmail.com. Redaction Request due 9/16/2024. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 9/26/2024. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 11/25/2024. (Cook, Savannah) (Entered: 08/27/2024)

Aug. 26, 2024

Aug. 26, 2024

PACER
75

NOTICE is hereby given that an official transcript of a proceeding has been filed by the court reporter in the above-captioned matter. Counsel are referred to the Court's Transcript Redaction Policy, available on the court website at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/transcripts.htm (Cook, Savannah) (Entered: 08/27/2024)

Aug. 26, 2024

Aug. 26, 2024

PACER

Notice of Filing of Official Transcript

Aug. 27, 2024

Aug. 27, 2024

PACER
76

NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Compliance Evaluator Team's Fourth Monitoring Report (Attachments: # 1 Compliance Evaluator Report)(Porter, F.) (Entered: 08/30/2024)

Aug. 30, 2024

Aug. 30, 2024

PACER
77

NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Joint Proposed Agenda for October 30, 2024, Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 10/23/2024)

Oct. 23, 2024

Oct. 23, 2024

PACER
79

Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: Status Conference held on 10/30/2024. Attorneys Present: Anuj K. Khetarpal, F. Nicole Porter, Devon W. Grierson and Stephen Buoniconti. Colloquy with counsel and Lead Compliance Evaluator Kathleen O'Toole regarding status of the case and next steps. No further date set. (Court Reporter: Digital Recording. To order a copy of this Digital Recording, please go to https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/Audio.html. For a transcript of this proceeding, contact mad_transcripts@mad.uscourts.gov.) (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 10/31/2024)

Oct. 30, 2024

Oct. 30, 2024

PACER

Status Conference

Oct. 31, 2024

Oct. 31, 2024

PACER
80

MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Springfield Police Department, City of Springfield.(Grierson, Devon) (Entered: 12/23/2024)

Dec. 23, 2024

Dec. 23, 2024

PACER
81

NOTICE of Appearance by Stephen Buoniconti on behalf of Springfield Police Department, City of Springfield (Buoniconti, Stephen) (Entered: 12/23/2024)

Dec. 23, 2024

Dec. 23, 2024

PACER
82

Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. The parties are directed to confer and file a proposed schedule for public hearings in 2025. (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 12/27/2024)

Dec. 27, 2024

Dec. 27, 2024

PACER

Order

Dec. 27, 2024

Dec. 27, 2024

PACER
83

Transcript of Status Conference (Digital Recording) held on October 30, 2024, before Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson. The Transcript may be purchased through the Court Reporter, viewed at the public terminal, or viewed through PACER after it is released. Court Reporter Name and Contact Information: Marianne Kusa-Ryll at justicehill@aol.com. Redaction Request due 1/23/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 2/3/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 4/2/2025. (Kelly, Danielle) (Entered: 01/03/2025)

Jan. 2, 2025

Jan. 2, 2025

PACER
84

NOTICE is hereby given that an official transcript of a proceeding has been filed by the court reporter in the above-captioned matter. Counsel are referred to the Court's Transcript Redaction Policy, available on the court website at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/transcripts.htm (Kelly, Danielle) (Entered: 01/03/2025)

Jan. 2, 2025

Jan. 2, 2025

PACER

Notice of Filing of Official Transcript

Jan. 3, 2025

Jan. 3, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Massachusetts

Case Type(s):

Policing

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 13, 2022

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

City of Springfield (Springfield, Hampden), City

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 14141)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Unreasonable search and seizure

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Findings Letter/Report

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Implement complaint/dispute resolution process

Reporting

Monitoring

Training

Order Duration: 2022 - None

Issues

General/Misc.:

Aggressive behavior

Incident/accident reporting & investigations

Policing:

Excessive force

Inadequate citizen complaint investigations and procedures