Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood has served the City of Springfield for more than 40 years.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno named Clapprood the Acting Commissioner on February 21^st, 2019 and appointed her to the permanent position on September 20^th, 2019.  She was sworn in during a ceremony at Symphony Hall on October 8^th, 2019. Her official title changed to Superintendent in 2022.

Superintendent Clapprood began her career in law enforcement on April 9^th, 1979 when she became a Springfield Police Cadet. On October 19^th, 1981 she entered into the Police Academy and became a sworn officer.

In September 1987, then Officer Clapprood was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  Eleven years later she was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, a supervisory position she held until October 2010 when she received another promotion.  Captain Clapprood continued rising the ranks and was appointed Deputy Chief in July 2017.

Superintendent Clapprood has a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Westfield State College and an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement from Springfield Technical Community College.  Clapprood also served as an adjunct professor at Western New England College from 2000 to 2009.

Prior to becoming a Springfield Police Officer, Superintendent Clapprood served in the United States Air Force both in active and reserve status from 1978 until her honorable discharge in 1984.

In her 40-plus years of service to the City of Springfield, Superintendent Clapprood has worked as an undercover narcotics officer, a Special Victims Unit supervisor, street supervisor and watch commander, among other roles within the Springfield Police Department.

Clapprood’s lasting mark in the community has been through her volunteerism and mentoring.  She created and organized the Springfield Police Youth Athletic Association in 1994, coached numerous teams and runs the Stephen O’Brien Memorial Learn to Skate program which began in 1996 and continues to this day each winter.

Springfield born and raised, Clapprood is honored to be the Superintendent of the Springfield Police Department and the first female Superintendent in the city’s history.

Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood retired on April 9, 2024, after 45 years of service.
Her archived newspaper columns are available here.