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

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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…

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 August 2024 monitoring report, 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.

On October 24, 2025, the United States filed a motion to stay given the government shutdown; the court granted the order on the 27th. In the most recent bi-annual compliance evaluator report, dated December 2025, the evaluator focused on specific requirements that remained outstanding, given the targeted completion date of April 2026. It identified specific compliance issues including failures to interview witnesses, inadequate force investigations, missing FIT training, and body-worn camera activation failures.

As of April 12, 2026, the compliance monitoring process remains ongoing.

Summary Authors

Richa Bijlani (6/21/2022)

Logan Moore (3/21/2025)

Avery Coombe (4/12/2026)

People

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

Judge(s)

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)

Judge(s)

Robertson, Katherine A. (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Cummings, Torey B. (Massachusetts)

Jean-Johnson, Ariona Renee (Massachusetts)

Khetarpal, Anuj K. (Massachusetts)

Leung, Michelle L. (Massachusetts)

Porter, F. Nicole (Massachusetts)

Serafyn, Jennifer A. (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Defendant

Buoniconti, Stephen (Massachusetts)

deSousa, Lisa C. (Massachusetts)

Grierson, Devon W. (Massachusetts)

Payne, John M. (Massachusetts)

Pikula, Edward M. (Massachusetts)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

	Justice Department Announces Findings of Investigation into Narcotics Bureau of Springfield, Massachusetts Police Department No Court	July 8, 2020	July 8, 2020 Press Release
	Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Announces Consent Decree with City of Springfield, Massachusetts No Court	April 13, 2022	April 13, 2022 Press Release
	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
2-1 3:22-cv-30043	Settlement Agreement	April 13, 2022	April 13, 2022 Settlement Agreement
116 3:22-cv-30043	Compliance Evaluator Report	Dec. 23, 2025	Dec. 23, 2025 Monitor/Expert/Receiver Report

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Resources

Resources related to this case
Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
Review of the Use of Monitors in Civil Settlement Agreements and Consent Decrees Involving State and Local Government Entities Attorney General Merrick Garland and Assoc. AG Vanita Gupta	Today, the Justice Department will begin implementing a set of principles and specific recommendations regarding the use ofmonitors in civil settlement agreements and consent decrees involving state …	9/13/2021	Sept. 13, 2021 https://www.justice.gov/...

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Docket

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

Last updated July 12, 2026, 5:11 a.m.

Docket for: United States v. Springfield Police Department

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	April 13, 2022	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	Clearinghouse
2	April 13, 2022	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	Clearinghouse
3	April 13, 2022	Joint MEMORANDUM in Support re 2 Joint MOTION to Approve Consent Judgment filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 04/13/2022)	RECAP
4	April 14, 2022	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)	RECAP
5	April 14, 2022	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)	RECAP
6	April 14, 2022	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)	RECAP
7	April 14, 2022	Civil Cover Sheet & Category Sheet re 1 Complaint by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 04/14/2022)	RECAP
8	April 14, 2022	NOTICE of Appearance by Torey B. Cummings on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Cummings, Torey) (Entered: 04/14/2022)	RECAP
9	April 14, 2022	NOTICE of Appearance by Jennifer A. Serafyn on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Serafyn, Jennifer) (Entered: 04/14/2022)	RECAP
	April 14, 2022	Notice of Case Assignment to a Magistrate Judge
	April 14, 2022	Notice - Other
10	April 15, 2022	CONSENT by all parties to Jurisdiction by US Magistrate Judge by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.. (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 04/15/2022)	RECAP
11	April 15, 2022	WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. All Defendants. (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 04/15/2022)	RECAP
12	April 20, 2022	NOTICE of Appearance by Lisa C. deSousa on behalf of City of Springfield, Springfield Police Department (deSousa, Lisa) (Entered: 04/20/2022)	RECAP
13	April 22, 2022	NOTICE of Appearance by Edward M. Pikula on behalf of City of Springfield (Pikula, Edward) (Entered: 04/22/2022)	RECAP
14	April 22, 2022	NOTICE of Appearance by F. Nicole Porter on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Porter, F.) (Entered: 04/22/2022)	RECAP
15	April 29, 2022	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)	RECAP
16	April 29, 2022	Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: ORDER entered. See attached order for complete details.(Zamorski, Michael) (Entered: 04/29/2022)	RECAP
	April 29, 2022	Order on Motion to Approve Consent Judgment
17	May 4, 2022	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)	RECAP
18	May 4, 2022	NOTICE of Appearance by Ariona Renee Jean-Johnson on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Jean-Johnson, Ariona) (Entered: 05/04/2022)	RECAP
	May 4, 2022	Notice of Hearing
19	June 3, 2022	JOINT STATEMENT of counsel . (Attachments: # 1 Appendix A)(Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 06/03/2022)	RECAP
20	June 6, 2022	NOTICE of Appearance by John M. Payne, Jr on behalf of City of Springfield and Springfield Police Department. (Zamorski, Michael) (Entered: 06/06/2022)	RECAP
21	June 6, 2022	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)	RECAP
	June 8, 2022	Status Conference
22	June 22, 2022	JOINT STATEMENT of counsel proposing status conference schedule. (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 06/22/2022)	RECAP
23	June 24, 2022	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)	RECAP
	June 24, 2022	Notice of Hearing
24	July 28, 2022	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)	RECAP
25	Aug. 1, 2022	Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 24 JOINT MOTION to Appoint Compliance Evaluator. (Rivera, Melissa) (Entered: 08/01/2022)	RECAP
	Aug. 1, 2022	Order on Motion to Approve Joint Statement
26	Aug. 3, 2022	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)	RECAP
	Aug. 3, 2022	Status Conference
27	Aug. 31, 2022	NOTICE of Withdrawal of Appearance by Lisa C. deSousa (deSousa, Lisa) (Entered: 08/31/2022)	RECAP
28	Oct. 21, 2022	NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Leung, Michelle) (Additional attachment(s) added on 10/21/2022: # 1 Exhibit) (Figueroa, Tamara). (Entered: 10/21/2022)	RECAP
29	Oct. 21, 2022	NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Joint Proposed Agenda for October 25, 2022 Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 10/21/2022)	RECAP
30	Oct. 25, 2022	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)	RECAP
	Oct. 26, 2022	Status Conference
32	Jan. 17, 2023	NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Joint Proposed Agenda for January 18, 2023 Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 01/17/2023)	RECAP
34	Jan. 18, 2023	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)	RECAP
	Jan. 18, 2023	Status Conference
35	Feb. 16, 2023	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	RECAP
37	April 11, 2023	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)	RECAP
	April 11, 2023	Notice of Rescheduling
38	May 8, 2023	NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Joint Proposed Agenda for May 10, 2023 Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 05/08/2023)	RECAP
40	May 10, 2023	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)	RECAP
	May 15, 2023	Status Conference
41	May 31, 2023	JOINT STATEMENT of counsel proposing status conference schedule. (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 05/31/2023)	RECAP
42	June 1, 2023	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)	RECAP
	June 1, 2023	Notice of Hearing
43	June 30, 2023	NOTICE of Withdrawal of Appearance by Edward M. Pikula (Pikula, Edward) (Entered: 06/30/2023)	RECAP
44	July 5, 2023	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)	RECAP
45	July 5, 2023	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)	RECAP
	July 5, 2023	Notice of Filing of Official Transcript
46	July 17, 2023	NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Joint Proposed Agenda for July 19, 2023 Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 07/17/2023)	RECAP
48	July 19, 2023	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)	RECAP
	July 20, 2023	Status Conference
49	July 26, 2023	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)	RECAP
50	Aug. 2, 2023	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)	RECAP
51	Aug. 2, 2023	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)	RECAP
	Aug. 2, 2023	Order on Motion to Amend
52	Aug. 31, 2023	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	RECAP
53	Oct. 16, 2023	NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Joint Proposed Agenda for October 18, 2023 Status Conference (Porter, F.) (Entered: 10/16/2023)	RECAP
55	Oct. 18, 2023	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)	RECAP
	Oct. 19, 2023	Status Conference
56	Jan. 16, 2024	NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of Joint Proposed Agenda for January 17, 2024 Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 01/16/2024)	RECAP
59	Jan. 17, 2024	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)	RECAP
	Jan. 17, 2024	Status Conference
60	Feb. 12, 2024	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)	RECAP
61	Feb. 12, 2024	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)	RECAP
	Feb. 13, 2024	Notice of Filing of Official Transcript
62	Feb. 22, 2024	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)	RECAP
	Feb. 22, 2024	Notice of Rescheduling
63	Feb. 29, 2024	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	RECAP
64	April 4, 2024	NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Joint Proposed Agenda for April 11, 2024 Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 04/04/2024)	RECAP
65	April 6, 2024	NOTICE of Appearance by Anuj K. Khetarpal on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Khetarpal, Anuj) (Entered: 04/06/2024)	RECAP
66	April 10, 2024	NOTICE of Appearance by Devon W. Grierson on behalf of City of Springfield, Springfield Police Department (Grierson, Devon) (Entered: 04/10/2024)	RECAP
68	April 11, 2024	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)	RECAP
	April 12, 2024	Status Conference
69	June 7, 2024	Assented to MOTION to Continue Status Conference to July 24, 2024 by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.(Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 06/07/2024)	RECAP
70	June 10, 2024	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)	RECAP
	June 10, 2024	Order on Motion to Continue
71	July 23, 2024	NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Joint Proposed Agenda for July 24, 2024 Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 07/23/2024)	RECAP
73	July 24, 2024	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)	RECAP
	July 24, 2024	Status Conference
74	Aug. 26, 2024	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)	RECAP
75	Aug. 26, 2024	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)	RECAP
	Aug. 27, 2024	Notice of Filing of Official Transcript
76	Aug. 30, 2024	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)	RECAP
77	Oct. 23, 2024	NOTICE by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Joint Proposed Agenda for October 30, 2024, Status Conference (Leung, Michelle) (Entered: 10/23/2024)	RECAP
79	Oct. 30, 2024	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)	RECAP
	Oct. 31, 2024	Status Conference
80	Dec. 23, 2024	MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Springfield Police Department, City of Springfield.(Grierson, Devon) (Entered: 12/23/2024)	RECAP
81	Dec. 23, 2024	NOTICE of Appearance by Stephen Buoniconti on behalf of Springfield Police Department, City of Springfield (Buoniconti, Stephen) (Entered: 12/23/2024)	RECAP
82	Dec. 27, 2024	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)	RECAP
	Dec. 27, 2024	Order
83	Jan. 2, 2025	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)	RECAP
84	Jan. 2, 2025	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)	RECAP
	Jan. 3, 2025	Notice of Filing of Official Transcript

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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

City of Springfield

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Law-enforcement

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

Other Dockets:

District of Massachusetts 3:22-cv-30043

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Findings Letter/Report

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

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

Monitoring

Reporting

Training

Issues

General/Misc.:

Aggressive behavior

Incident/accident reporting & investigations

Policing:

Excessive force

Inadequate citizen complaint investigations and procedures

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of United States v. Springfield Police Department, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/43281/ (last updated 4/12/2026).