By Amelia Anderson The Springfield Police Department, commonly known as SPD, is the municipal law-enforcement agency responsible for public safety within the City of Springfield, Missouri. Its work includes emergency response, city patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, crime prevention, victim assistance and community policing.
Residents should select the correct contact method according to the urgency of the situation. Call 911 when a crime is happening, someone is in immediate danger or urgent police, fire or medical assistance is required. For reports, general police information and non-emergency assistance, call 417-864-1810.
Springfield police patrol operations are divided into North and South geographic zones. The department has a main headquarters on East Chestnut Expressway and a South District Station on West Battlefield Road.
Springfield Police Department Quick Information
| Information | Details |
| Official name | Springfield Police Department |
| Common abbreviation | SPD |
| Headquarters address | 321 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, MO 65802 |
| South District Station | 2620 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield, MO 65807 |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Reports and police information | 417-864-1810 |
| Criminal Investigations Division | 417-864-1755 |
| Hit-and-run investigations | 417-864-1447 |
| Internal Affairs | 417-864-1791 |
| Crime Stoppers | 417-869-TIPS |
| Crime Stoppers numeric number | 417-869-8477 |
| Victim advocate | 417-864-1324 |
| Number of patrol zones | Two |
| Patrol zones | North Zone and South Zone |
| Principal department bureaus | Two |
| County | Greene County |
| Area served | Locations within Springfield city limits |
| Greene County Sheriff’s Office | 417-868-4040 |
| Greene County Jail | 417-868-4048 |
The address and contact information above is published through Springfield’s official police and victim-resource information.
Springfield Police Department Address and Headquarters
The Springfield Police Department’s main facility is located at:
- Springfield Police Department Headquarters
- 321 East Chestnut Expressway
- Springfield, Missouri 65802
The headquarters houses important administrative, investigative, patrol and support functions. The department’s reports and information number is 417-864-1810. This number can be used to file certain reports, add information to an existing report or obtain guidance about another police matter.
The headquarters address should not replace calling for immediate police assistance. Anyone facing an active crime, serious threat, injury or dangerous situation should call 911 rather than travelling to the building.
Springfield Police Department South District Station
SPD also operates the South District Station at:
- South District Station
- 2620 West Battlefield Road
- Springfield, Missouri 65807
The station supports patrol and police operations in southern Springfield. It is part of the same city police department and should not be confused with an independent precinct or another law-enforcement agency.
Public-service availability can vary according to the type of assistance required. Calling 417-864-1810 before visiting can help determine whether the matter should be handled at headquarters, the South District Station, by telephone or through another reporting method.
Important Springfield Police Phone Numbers
Call 911 when:
- A crime is currently taking place
- Someone is in immediate danger
- A weapon is involved
- A suspect is still at or near the scene
- Someone has been seriously injured
- A serious collision requires emergency assistance
- Urgent police, fire or medical services are needed
Call 417-864-1810 for reports, police information and non-emergency assistance. The department directs residents to this number to file reports, provide supplemental information and obtain other case-related guidance.
After filing a report, a victim seeking an update may contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 417-864-1755. Hit-and-run investigation enquiries may be directed to 417-864-1447.
Anonymous crime information may be provided to Greater Springfield Area Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS, or 417-869-8477. Crime Stoppers is designed for anonymous tips and should not be used when an immediate police response is required.
Springfield Police Patrol Zones
Springfield is divided into two geographic police patrol zones:
- North Zone
- South Zone
Each zone contains smaller patrol beats. These beats are designed to distribute police calls and workloads among officers. Patrol shifts are staggered so that police coverage remains available throughout the day and night.
The North and South zones are operational patrol boundaries. They should not be confused with City Council zones, ZIP codes, school districts or neighbourhood boundaries.
A resident does not normally need to identify the correct zone before calling police. Dispatch personnel use the exact incident address to send the call to the appropriate patrol officers.
Springfield Police Department Organization
SPD is organized into two principal bureaus:
- Uniform Operations Bureau
- Investigations and Support Services Bureau
The department uses this structure to separate regular patrol and traffic responsibilities from criminal investigations, records, training and other support functions.
Uniform Operations Bureau
The Uniform Operations Bureau manages the department’s regular patrol response. Officers assigned to this bureau answer emergency and non-emergency calls, conduct preventive patrols, enforce traffic laws and prepare initial police reports.
The bureau’s responsibilities include:
- North and South patrol operations
- Traffic enforcement
- Community policing
- Crime-prevention programmes
- Special-response operations
- Police service dog teams
- Parking enforcement
- Centre-city policing
Patrol officers are normally the first police personnel to arrive at an incident. They may secure the location, interview victims and witnesses, collect preliminary evidence and prepare the initial report.
The Community Services Section coordinates neighbourhood policing, problem-solving and crime-prevention programmes across Springfield.
Criminal Investigations Division
The Criminal Investigations Division conducts follow-up investigations after the initial police report has been completed.
Its responsibilities include identifying suspects, interviewing witnesses, examining evidence, locating stolen property and preparing criminal cases for prosecutors.
The division is organized into three principal sections:
- Crimes Against Persons
- Crimes Against Property
- Special Investigations
The Crimes Against Persons Section includes units dealing with violent crimes, special victims, child victims, computer forensics and domestic violence.
The Crimes Against Property Section investigates property crimes, vehicle theft and financial crimes. The Special Investigations Section includes narcotics and other specialized investigative operations.
A victim can call the Criminal Investigations Division at 417-864-1755 after filing a report. However, not every case is immediately assigned to a detective. Assignment may depend on available evidence, identifiable suspects, seriousness of the offence and investigative leads.
Support Services Division
The Support Services Division provides administrative and technical assistance to patrol officers and investigators.
Its responsibilities may include:
- Police records
- Evidence and property management
- Training
- Crime analysis
- Department technology
- Professional standards
- Internal administrative services
These functions support the department’s daily response while also maintaining reports, evidence, policies and employee training.
What County Is the Springfield Police Department In?
The Springfield Police Department is located in Greene County, Missouri. Its regular jurisdiction is based on Springfield city limits rather than the entire county.
SPD is separate from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. Springfield police officers provide municipal law-enforcement services within the city. The Sheriff’s Office patrols unincorporated areas, operates the county jail, serves court documents and provides courtroom security.
Some properties may use “Springfield” as their mailing city while being located outside Springfield’s official boundaries. Such locations may be served by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office or another local police department.
When jurisdiction is uncertain, provide the exact incident address. The street address is more reliable than the postal city, neighbourhood name or ZIP code.
Filing a Springfield Police Report
A police report may be initiated by:
- Calling 911 for an emergency
- Calling 417-864-1810 for reports or non-emergency assistance
- Using an available online reporting option
- Visiting an appropriate police facility
The reports and information service is generally available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. An officer response should be requested through 911 when the situation is urgent.
Do not depend on delayed or online reporting when:
- A crime is still happening
- Someone is injured or in danger
- A weapon is involved
- A suspect is present or nearby
- Evidence requires immediate protection
- An officer needs to attend the scene
- The incident occurred outside Springfield city limits
After filing a report, keep the case number. It can be used when contacting detectives, adding stolen-property details, requesting records or providing documentation to an insurance company.
Additional information may be added to an existing report by calling 417-864-1810 or using the department’s available online supplemental-report process.
Obtaining Springfield Police Records
Requests for city police records are governed by Missouri’s Sunshine Law. Springfield provides an online Public Records Center through which people can request available city documents.
The City Clerk serves as the custodian of city records. The city is generally required to respond to a public-record request within three business days, although producing the requested documents may take longer when research, review or redaction is necessary.
A police-record request should contain as much information as possible, including:
- Police case number
- Incident date and time
- Exact location
- Names of the people involved
- Type of incident
- Specific documents or recordings requested
- Requester’s contact information
Some information may be removed or withheld to protect crime victims, juveniles, witnesses, medical details, personal information and active investigations.
A request for body-camera recordings, photographs, dispatch audio or a complete investigative file may require more processing than a basic incident report.
Complaints About Springfield Police Conduct
Complaints concerning an SPD employee are received and reviewed through the Inspections and Internal Affairs Unit.
The Internal Affairs contact number is:
417-864-1791
The unit maintains records of complaints and may investigate serious allegations, including excessive force, discrimination, corruption, criminal conduct and other major policy violations.
A complaint may also be initiated through the city’s online complaint form. Complaint information is available at Police Headquarters and the South District Station.
Useful information includes:
- Incident date and time
- Exact location
- Officer’s name or identification number
- Police vehicle number
- Report, citation or call number
- Witness details
- Photographs, recordings or video
- A clear description of what happened
A person can submit a complaint even when the employee’s name is unknown. The time, location, officer description, police vehicle information and case number may help identify the employee.
Greene County Jail Information
The Springfield Police Department does not operate the Greene County Jail. The detention facility is managed by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.
- Greene County Jail
- 1199 North Haseltine Road
- Springfield, Missouri 65802
- Jail information: 417-868-4048
- Sheriff’s Office: 417-868-4040
Questions about custody status, inmate identification numbers, visitation, property or jail procedures should be directed to the Sheriff’s Office rather than SPD headquarters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which Springfield Police Department does this guide cover?
A: This guide covers the Springfield Police Department in Springfield, Missouri. Springfield cities in Illinois, Massachusetts and other states operate separate police departments.
Q: Does Springfield have several police precincts?
A: Springfield primarily operates from Police Headquarters and the South District Station. Patrol coverage is divided into North and South zones rather than numerous public precinct stations.
Q: Can I call 417-864-1810 during an emergency?
A: No. Call 911 when someone is in danger, a crime is taking place or an immediate police response is necessary. The 417-864-1810 number is intended for reports, information and non-emergency assistance.
Q: How do I add stolen-property details after filing my report?
A: Call 417-864-1810 and provide the case number. Serial numbers, photographs, receipts and detailed property descriptions can help officers identify recovered items.
Q: Can a visitor file a police report in Springfield?
A: Yes. A person does not need to live in Springfield to report an incident that happened within the city. Visitors should provide permanent contact details and retain the case number.
Q: Does a Springfield mailing address always fall under SPD?
A: No. Some properties with Springfield postal addresses are outside the city limits. They may be served by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office or another municipal department.
Q: Can I contact a detective immediately after making a report?
A: You can contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 417-864-1755 for case-related guidance. However, the report may need to be reviewed before it is assigned to an investigator.
Q: Can Crime Stoppers give me an official police report number?
A: No. Crime Stoppers accepts anonymous information about criminal activity. To create an official report, contact SPD directly.
Q: Does SPD operate the Greene County Jail?
A: No. The Greene County Sheriff’s Office operates the county jail. Jail enquiries should be directed to 417-868-4048.
Q: What should I do if my vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run?
A: Call 911 when anyone is injured, the other driver is still nearby or the situation remains dangerous. For follow-up concerning a documented hit-and-run case, the investigation number is 417-864-1447.
Q: Do I need an officer’s name to file a misconduct complaint?
A: No. The employee’s name or identification number is helpful but not essential. Provide the incident time, location, physical description, police vehicle details and any report or citation number.
Q: Can Springfield police take a report for an incident elsewhere in Greene County?
A: Normally, the agency responsible for the location where the incident occurred should take the report. Incidents outside Springfield city limits may need to be reported to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office or another municipal police department.