Springfield Police Chief Don Kliment shook up his command staff Wednesday, naming one assistant chief and four deputy chiefs. The reorganization promotes two officers and demotes only one.
The most significant promotion was given to Ralph Caldwell Jr., who is now officially second-in-command to Kliment. Caldwell, a 23-year veteran of SPD, was previously assistant chief over investigations.
Kliment also promoted William Rouse, previously a lieutenant, into Caldwell’s old job in charge of the criminal investigations division.
The other three deputy chiefs are all former assistant chiefs for whom this reorganization brings mainly a change in title, not in pay. Robert Williams Jr., previously assistant chief over internal affairs, has more responsibilities now as deputy chief over internal affairs and the training academy, including recruiting. James Burton remains in charge of administrative services, and Michael Geiger, formerly assistant chief of community relations, is now in charge of field operations.
Kliment’s predecessor, John Harris, had seven assistant chiefs and no deputy chiefs. Under Kliment’s new organizational chart, there is just one assistant chief, but four deputy chiefs.
The only person demoted is former assistant chief William Pittman, who will now resume his civil service rank of lieutenant. Kliment has assigned Pittman to Rouse’s old job, working first watch in field operations.
Aside from Pittman’s assignment, Kliment didn’t announce changes at the lieutenant level, saying those will come at a later date. “I’ve got my idea of where they’re going to go, but I want to run it by my deputy chiefs,” he said. Kliment said he may wait and make lieutenant assignments effective Jan. 1, 2004, because so many officers have put in for time off during the holidays.
The promotion of Caldwell to the next-to-top spot came as no surprise at City Hall. For the past few months, Caldwell has been acting as Kliment’s assistant, representing him at City Council when the chief was out of town.
Caldwell was a finalist for the top cop job, and admitted he was disappointed when Mayor Tim Davlin chose Kliment. But Caldwell sees this new assignment as a possible springboard to his goal of becoming chief some day.
“Obviously, I want to be chief,” Caldwell said. “But if I walk around pouting every day, that’s not healthy for me or the department. I like to put a positive spin on everything. This is a stepping stone. This is a little bit closer. Hopefully I can gain some experience and one day have another shot at it.”
Cosmetically, at least, Caldwell and Kliment appear to be polar opposites. Caldwell is loquacious; Kliment is a man of few words. Caldwell always wears a tasteful suit and a colorful tie; Kliment prefers to wear his police uniform. Caldwell is also a friend of Davlin’s, and frequently joins the mayor on motorcycle rides, while Kliment, a non-drinker and church deacon, spends all his free time with his family.
But Caldwell says they work together well. “Don [Kliment] and I get along great,” Caldwell says.
Kliment’s reorganization also eliminated two civilian division chiefs — technical services, held by Don Schluter, and emergency communications, held by Mike Midiri. However, under Davlin’s recently adopted city government reorganization, Midiri’s job has been moved into the office of hometown security.
Schluter, who also rides motorcycles with the mayor, moved into another job
soon after Kliment announced his reorganization. Weeks ago, Schluter became
assistant chief of security at City Water, Light and Power at a salary of $58,413.
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This article appears in Oct 30 – Nov 5, 2003.
