Major Ron Hartman Named Springfield's Interim Police Chief; Search For Rowe's Sucessor Continues:

Maj. Ron Hartman has been named Interim Police Chief by Springfield City Manager Greg Burris. Hartman will take over the duties of Police Chief Lynn Rowe effective Dec. 5. Rowe will retire on Jan. 15, 2010 after more than 16 years leading the City's Police Department. Rowe will use remaining vacation time before his retirement becomes official.


Hartman will remain Interim Police Chief while a nationwide search for Rowe's successor is conducted. The search process will begin soon. Plans are in progress for backfilling Hartman's current position as Major.

Hartman is a 23-year veteran of the Springfield Police Department. He has been Uniform Operations Division Commander since 2007, in which he has been responsible for the approximately 200 uniformed officers in 14 patrol squads, two traffic squads and the Community Services Section. Prior to that, Hartman has been the Special Investigation Section Commander; Special Response Team (SWAT) Commander; Uniformed Operations Section Commander and Community Services Section Commander. Hartman holds a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Drury University and has studied at the Northwestern School Police Staff & Command and the FBI National Academy.

"Ron is very capable of keeping the Police Department running as it should be until a permanent replacement can be made," Rowe said. "I think he's a good choice."

Hartman has leadership experience in, and extensive knowledge of, the operations division of the Department, as well as the community policing and narcotics programs.

"Ron Hartman's wide range of experiences - whether as a Patrol Officer, a Major Crimes Investigator, the SWAT Commander, or as Uniformed Operations Division Commander - provide a broad base of knowledge," Burris said. "Ron is well-respected within the department, and will serve Springfield's citizens well as the Interim Police Chief."