Mercy Health – Springfield is debuting its own police department and police vehicle to help ensure the safety and security of its staff, patients, and visitors.
The new department will feature 24-hour protection officer coverage across all seven days of the week. Every shift will have a minimum of one commissioned police officer who will be armed and have arresting authority if the need arises.
“This newly formed department will allow the hospital to better protect our physicians, associates, patients, and visitors,” said Jamie Houseman, President, Mercy Health - Urbana Hospital, and leader of the protective services team for the market. “While we are our own commissioned police department, we do have a collaborative agreement with the Springfield City Police Department. In fact, Springfield City Chief Elliott and several of her captains were present for our swearing in.”
The hospitals will also add additional unarmed security officers, as they have in the past.
May 25th was the first official day of the new department, by the Springfield Mayor’s proclamation. Last month’s swearing in ceremony welcomed a chief, four sergeants, and two officers. The new security professionals include:
- Chief Trenton Brown
- Sergeant Shaun Beekman
- Sergeant Davin Craycraft
- Sergeant Andy Justice
- Sergeant Roxanna Lough
- Officer Terry Hirons
- Officer Cherish Steiger
With the help of an internal fundraiser that relied on employee donations, the health system was also able to fund the purchase of a brand-new Mercy Health police vehicle.