PHOTOS COURTESY CITY OF SPRINGFIELD
Nick Zummo, left, and Joseph Behl
Mayor Misty Buscher’s picks to lead the Springfield police and fire departments are receiving high marks from members of the city council. Buscher is recommending the promotion of Assistant Fire Chief Nicholas Zummo to fire chief and Assistant Police Chief Joseph Behl to police chief for the city of Springfield.
The promotions need to be approved by the city council, but all the council members interviewed by Illinois Times expressed support for both men taking their respective helms. The ordinance for their appointment was introduced at the May 6 council meeting and is scheduled for a vote May 20.
Ward 3 Ald. Roy Williams, a frequent critic of the mayor, gave a thumbs up to Buscher’s choices.
“We should support the mayor. Part of her job is making those selections. I don’t know anything that would prevent them from holding those offices. So, I’m going to support the appointments,” he said. “You support them and give them a chance. I think they both have big shoes to fill because I personally got along with both chiefs who are retiring.”
Police Chief Ken Scarlette announced last month he is leaving after 27 years with the department, including three years as chief. Days after Scarlette’s announcement, Fire Chief Ed Canny said he, too, would be retiring after 28 years. He has been in the department’s top spot since 2023.
Both men finish their municipal careers this month.
“I firmly believe that Chief Scarlette and Chief Canny’s leadership will persist in the new leadership team,” Buscher said in a prepared statement.
Zummo is a 24-year veteran of the Springfield Fire Department and now serves as assistant chief. He also served for 20 years in the Illinois National Guard, retiring with the rank of master sergeant.
Behl has 18 years of experience with the Springfield Police Department and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He has led several divisions, overseen investigations and played a role in departmental strategy and development endeavors.
A city spokesperson said neither Zummo nor Behl would be available for press interviews until after their appointments are confirmed
Ward 10 Ald. Ralph Hanauer said Behl’s promotion makes sense.
“I think it’s a natural progression and I think he’ll do a great job, obviously,” he said. “He just got back from the FBI academy. So that is a big help.”
He said he hopes Behl will make traffic safety a priority for his department.
“The biggest complaint I get in my ward is speeding and people running red lights and stop signs,” he said. “So, if we could get some more traffic enforcement, that would be great. I think that we have got to continue on the same direction with community policing and community engagement.”
Springfield civil rights leader Theresa Haley said she approves of both appointments. She added she hopes both Behl and Zummo will make it a priority to have their departments better reflect the racial diversity of Springfield.
“Reducing crime, increasing minority participation in the police department and actually getting Black (people) into the command staff – that’s something I personally want to see. I know (former chief Kenny) Winslow was really good at doing that. And Ken Scarlette did a good job. So, I want this to continue.”
Ward 7 Ald. Brad Carlson said he is perplexed as to why the police and fire departments aren’t more diverse.
“I can’t answer that question, because we do everything we can to recruit a number of Black and female officers,” he said.
Carlson added he hopes the police and fire departments will continue to send representatives to high schools, community colleges and four-year institutions to recruit.
Ward 1 Ald. Jeff Cox, a former prosecutor, said he is particularly optimistic about Behl’s leadership.
“I have all the faith in the world that Joe Behl should be appointed,” he said. “He’ll do a good job. I’ve known Joe since about 2008 when I was at the state’s attorney’s office. I recall working with him on various types of cases and he always was a very respectable, responsible police officer.”
Buscher also plans to promote Captain Julie Plunk to assistant fire chief and commander Ryan Leach to assistant police chief.
“Serving this city has been the greatest privilege of my life,” outgoing Fire Chief Canny said in a prepared statement. “I’ve watched Assistant Chief Zummo and Captain Plunk grow into true leaders – they are passionate, capable, and ready to meet the moment. Springfield is in good hands.”
Scarlette added in the statement, “It has been the honor of my career to lead this department. I couldn’t be more confident in Assistant Chief Behl and Commander Leach. They are strategic leaders with a deep understanding of this community and the challenges we face. I know they will lead with fairness, transparency and a commitment to excellence.”