Kenny Winslow

Three Months Later, Police Still Searching For Motive In Bunn-O-Matic Shooting

By • Oct 2, 2020

Springfield Police Chief Kenny Winslow said Friday the investigation into the shooting June 26 has yielded little information that points to why the gunman killed three co-workers at the plant on Stevenson Drive before fatally shooting himself later. But he reiterated that the victims were likely targeted based on the suspect’s actions.

Springfield Faith And Activist Groups Seek Commitments On Police Reforms

By • Sep 23, 2020
A car in a Black Lives Matter parade passes in front of Springfield Police Department headquarters on Monroe Street.
Mary Hansen / NPR Illinois

Springfield faith and community activist groups called for commitments from the mayor and police chief to work with them to strengthen the police oversight commission and reinstate a requirement for police officers to live in the city.

Two Springfield City Council Members Propose Police Reforms

By • Sep 17, 2020
Ald. Shawn Gregory speaks at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in May.
Mary Hansen / NPR Illinois

After a summer of anti-police brutality demonstrations, two Springfield city council members are proposing a bigger role for the police oversight commission and spelling out use-of-force rules, among other changes.

No Motive Discovered In Bunn-O-Matic Shooting

By • Jul 1, 2020

Springfield Police Chief Kenny Winslow said Wednesday authorities have yet to determine why an employee shot and killed three co-workers last week at a Springfield manufacturer.

Third Victim Dies From Springfield Bunn-O-Matic Factory Shooting

By • Jun 26, 2020

A woman wounded in a workplace shooting in Springfield Friday died of her injuries, according to the Sangamon County Coroner.  Marsha Strumpher of Springfield, 54, had been hospitalized since the incident and died Saturday.  

Protesters Take To Springfield Streets, Rally Against Police Brutality

By & • Jun 2, 2020
Olivia Mitchell/NPR Illinois

More than a thousand demonstrators shouting ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘No Justice, No Peace’ took to the streets in Springfield again Monday, demanding an end to racial injustices.

New Program Aims To Help People Suffering From Drug And Alcohol Addiction

By • Oct 10, 2019
Daisy Contreras / NPR Illinois

The Springfield Police Department and the Gateway Foundation launched a program Thursday meant to offer immediate help to people with drug and alcohol addiction.

Springfield Police Officer Indicted For Alleged Sexual Contact With Student

By • Mar 17, 2016

The Springfield Police Department issued the following on Wednesday.  The allegations stem from Groth's time as a school resource officer at Lanphier High School:           

Officer Rodney A. Groth, age 45, of the Springfield Police Department was indicted by a Sangamon County Grand Jury on the below listed charges:

Winslow To Stay On As Springfield Police Chief

By • Jun 30, 2015
WUIS

Kenny Winslow will remain as the City of Springfield's Police Chief, Mayor Jim Langfelder announced Tuesday. 

Winslow has been in the role since his appointment in 2013. 

Hearings were held in all the city's wards as the new administration considered other applicants.

The following news release was sent from the Mayor's office:

Local Response To Ferguson

By Rachel Otwell • Sep 9, 2014
Rachel Otwell/WUIS

Last Thursday, over 300 people met in Springfield for a meeting titled “Saving Our Black Males Through Education, Information, and Communication." It was organized as a response to the situation in Ferguson, Missouri where an unarmed black teen, Michael Brown, was shot and killed by a police officer. One common refrain was that blacks in Springfield often feel targeted by police simply because of their skin color. Local police chief Kenny Winslow told the crowd that better communication is needed.

Police Respond To Criticism At NAACP Event

By Rachel Otwell • Sep 5, 2014
WUIS/Rachel Otwell

Racial tension and profiling by police were among the topics discussed at a community meeting held at Southeast High School in Springfield on Thursday. Over 300 people were in attendance for the meeting put on by the local chapter of the NAACP. It was organized as a response to the situation in Ferguson, Missouri where an unarmed black teen was shot and killed by a police officer. One common refrain was that blacks in Springfield often feel targeted by police simply because of their skin color.

Winslow Hired As Springfield Police Chief

By • Feb 19, 2014
Peter Gray/WUIS

Springfield aldermen have unanimously approved the hiring of Kenny Winslow as the city's police chief. Winslow has been in the role since last summer, when he took over after the resignation of Robert Williams.
   But his hiring on a permanent basis was delayed last night as council members questioned him in private for more than half an hour.    An internet site had raised issues about how Winslow might restructure the department. Mayor Mike Houston says aldermen wanted to hear from Winslow:

Winslow Expected To Get Police Chief Job

By Lee Strubinger • Feb 5, 2014
Peter Gray/WUIS

After more than 6 months as Acting Springfield Police Chief, Kenny Winslow has been nominated for the job on permanent basis.  

Winslow assumed his role July 29th, after Robert Williams resigned following a file shredding scandal.  
Winslow says there are several things at the department that need to be done. 

Acting Police Chief Winslow On Restoring Dept. Morale, Public Confidence

By • Jul 30, 2013
Peter Gray/WUIS

Springfield's new top cop says regaining the public's trust in his department is at the top of his to-do list.  

Acting Chief Kenny Winslow took over Monday for Robert Williams, whose signature at the bottom of a police union memo cleared the way for destruction of internal affairs files.

Williams, along with the city's attorney, this month stepped aside as the city faces a lawsuit alleging it violated public records laws.

Interim Chief Winslow says today he's focused on polishing the department's tarnished image: