The Firearms Investigation Unit is led by Captain Brian Keenan. It includes the sub-divisions of Task Force, Warrant Apprehension, Vice, Property and Licensing.

To provide information or tips on illegal firearms or drug distribution, please call (413) 787-6393 or anonymously Text-A-Tip.

Firearms Investigations

The Firearms Investigation Unit will address the local angle of a disturbing nationwide increase in gun violence. The unit will identify and investigate the most significant drivers of gun violence in the city. Members of the Unit will work to remove illegal firearms from circulation. The fundamental goal of this Unit is to reduce the level of gun violence in the community.

Task Force

The Springfield Police Department assigns officers to various Federal, State and Local Task Forces. This includes but is not limited to working with the United States Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Hampden County Narcotics Task Force, the Hampden District Attorney’s Strategic Action and Focused Enforcement (SAFE) Unit, and the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET).

Warrant Apprehension

Springfield Police Officers assigned to the Warrant Apprehension Unit work with members of the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force, Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS) and Hampden County Sheriff’s Department. Their primary function is to locate and apprehend fugitives wanted on outstanding felony warrants.

Vice

Springfield Police Detectives and officers working within the Vice section routinely conduct undercover operations where the primary focus is to combat issues that have historically plagued low-income neighborhoods such as prostitution as well as drug dealing with a firearms nexus. In recent years the main targets of prostitution stings have become the men or “Johns” who are soliciting prostitution.

Property

The Springfield Police Department’s Property Division is located at 50 East Street inside the Paul J. Fenton Public Safety Complex. If you are looking to claim any property that is in the custody of the Springfield Police Department you must make an appointment by calling (413) 787-6339. After an appointment is confirmed the property owner will go in person to 50 East Street to claim their property.

The Property Division schedules appointments Monday through Friday from 9am – 3pm. If an individual attempts to obtain their property without an appointment there is no guarantee the property will be able to be returned at that time. Please do not go to 130 Pearl Street to attempt to claim your property as there are no items that remain at Springfield Police Headquarters.

The Property Division is responsible for cataloging and storing every piece of evidence that comes into the custody of the Springfield Police Department. The unit holds secure evidence until it is disposed of by Court Order, by Statute, by Department Policy or until it can be returned to the lawful owner.

For personal property that is not considered evidence and is considered held for safe keeping it will be held for 30 days.  Items turned into the police department considered lost and found, will be held for 90 days.  If the rightful owner of this property is incarcerated, they would need to obtain a notarized letter (which can be done at the Hampden County Correction Center) authorizing another person to claim your property.   In accordance with MGL Chapter 135, Section 8, you are notified if you refuse or fail to take possession of the property as outlined above, it will be subject to disposal, destruction or public auction.  The Springfield Police Department sends surplus property to the online police auction site PropertyRoom.com.

Licensing

The Detective(s) assigned to Licensing investigate incidents that have occurred at an establishment that holds a liquor, restaurant or entertainment license in the city. The investigating officer then reports those findings to the Licensing Department and the Board of License Commissioners.

The Licensing Detective(s) is also responsible for conducting compliance checks at businesses that sell alcohol, including bars, restaurants and package stores. The compliance checks are conducted randomly throughout the year. The checks are to ensure that businesses are properly checking IDs and not selling alcohol to anyone under the age of 21.