Maj. Ron Hartman named interim police chief

The Springfield Police Department named Maj. Ron Hartman, a 23-year department veteran, as the interim police chief a week after Chief Lynn Rowe announced his retirement.

Hartman will fill the seat being left open by Chief Rowe beginning Dec. 5, according to a Tuesday afternoon announcement by the city. Rowe's official last day is Jan. 15, but he will use remaining vacation time before his retirement becomes official.

Hartman has worked as Uniform Operations Division commander since 2007, in charge of 200 uniformed officers in 14 patrol squads, two traffic squads and the Community Services section, according to a city news release. He also has served as commander in the Special Response Team and in the Special Investigation, Uniformed Operations and Community Services sections. He has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from Drury University.

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

Hartman will remain interim chief while the city conducts a nationwide search for Rowe's successor, and plans are under way to backfill Hartman's position as major.[[In-content Ad]]