Lawrence E. Akers has served the city of Springfield for more than 38 years. On Wednesday April 10th, Akers was sworn in as the new Springfield Police Superintendent. Akers became the first black leader of this police department. A second-generation Springfield Police Officer, Akers’ father Charles E. Akers served the city for 29 years retiring in 1987.

In May of 2023 Akers was promoted to the position of Deputy Chief and has been in charge of uniform operations for the department.

Akers served as a patrol officer and Detective for 26 years before being becoming a Supervisor. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2012. There he worked in the uniform patrol division until his 2015 promotion to Lieutenant.

As a Lieutenant, he supervised the 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Detective Bureau, the Special Victims Unit, and the Gaming Enforcement Unit.

In April 2021 Akers was promoted to the rank of Captain. He commanded the 8:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. uniformed patrol until taking over command of the Metro/C3 Unit.

During his time as an officer and supervisor Akers was in charge of the Springfield Police Honor Guard and a member of the police department’s motorcycle unit. During the 2021 Ride to Remember Akers helped escort the riders on a police motorcycle. To our knowledge he was the first Captain to ride one of our Harley’s in an official capacity.

In 2022 at the Ride to Remember Akers was again providing a motorcycle escort for the bicyclists when he saw Sgt. Edward VanZandt pulled off to the side of the road. He immediately checked to see if the Sergeant was in need of help. Sgt. VanZandt initially discounted his need for help but Akers training and experience told him otherwise. Realizing that Sgt. VanZandt was experiencing a medical emergency Captain Akers summoned an ambulance. VanZandt credits Akers for saving his life and the department honored Akers with a life-saving award at their 2022 Awards Ceremony.

Prior to his career as a Springfield Police Officer, Akers joined the West Springfield Fire Department in March of 1985. Akers became the town’s first black Firefighter. His employment with the town was brief, as he joined the Springfield Police Dept. a year later in March of 1986.

During his time as a patrolman for the SPD, he worked in the Crime Prevention Bureau, Narcotics Bureau, Detective Bureau and Traffic Bureau. In 1992 Akers become the first black Homicide Detective in the department’s history.

Akers holds a Bachelors’ Degree in Criminal Justice from Westfield State University and has been a recipient of the Frank Murphy Medal of Valor.

Akers was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. He attended Springfield schools and graduated from the High School of Commerce in 1977.

Akers and his wife Mary have been married for 15 years and have four children.