Springfield, Massachusetts Mayor, Council Differ On Civil Service For Police, Fire Chiefs

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- Springfield Mayor Charles V. Ryan wants to eliminate the civil service process in appointing police and fire chiefs, but a lack of support on the city council may doom the proposal.

Five of nine city councilors oppose the plan, and the mayor's signature must be accompanied by a majority vote of the council to seek a home-rule petition from the state Legislature to abandon civil service.

Ryan said last month that because the jobs are so vital, the mayor should have the power to appoint police and fire chiefs, and those jobs should not be subject to competitive civil service tests.

Civil service critics say the system is faulty because there is a possibility that someone can be appointed for life with little accountability, and subject to removal only for extreme incompetence or malfeasance.

But councilor Kateri B. Walsh said the alternative, a mayor who may control political power over a chief and who can exploit that influence, is worse.

``I'm totally opposed,'' she told The Republican of Springfield. ``I think this is the absolute wrong time to try to politicize the police department. I think public safety officials should always be protected by civil service.''

Councilors Rosemarie Mazza-Moriarty, William T. Foley, Daniel D. Kelly and Bud L. Williams agree with Walsh.

``I'm afraid we could end up with new chiefs every few years with new election cycles, and (then) there would be a problem with chiefs going back into the ranks,'' Mazza-Moriarty said.

Ryan said that problem would be avoided and accountability ensured by granting the chiefs four-year contracts with periodic reviews.

Council President Domenic J. Sarno and councilor Angelo J. Puppolo Jr. are undecided about the proposal to replace civil service with appointments. Only councilor Timothy J. Rooke supports Ryan's proposal.

``Now, I think I would consider it,'' Rooke said. ``I think we have to hold the police chief and fire chief accountable to public performance just as we do with every other department head.''

Rooke said he would want council confirmation of any mayoral appointee.

Paula C. Meara, police chief since 1996, has said she understands why the mayor would want chief-appointing power.

Fire Chief Gary G. Cassanelli, a firefighter since 1976 and chief since 1990, said he also understands the mayor's argument, but added that civil service is needed to shield chiefs from political manipulation.