FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 26, 2021
Two Retire from SPD After 25 Years of Service
After 25 years of service to the citizens of Springfield, SPD Major Vance Holland and Officer Richard Mansel retired this week. Major Holland and Officer Mansel began their careers as Springfield Police Officers in 1996 after graduating as members of the 40th Police Academy and they have many notable accomplishments since that time.
"Congratulations to Major Holland and Officer Mansel. They have both been humble servants to our community and the Springfield Police Department," said Chief Paul Williams. “I am proud of their dedication and I wish them the best of luck in retirement."
Major Vance Holland
Major Vance Holland graduated from the 40th Springfield Police Academy in 1996. After graduating, Major Holland began his police career as a patrol officer. In 1998 he was promoted to Corporal where he worked in the Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Unit, and served on the Special Response Team before being promoted to Sergeant in 2002.
During his time as a Sergeant, Major Holland worked in the Narcotics Enforcement Team and as a shift supervisor in the Patrol Unit. Major Holland was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2007. During his six years as a Lieutenant, Major Holland worked as a commander in the Special Investigations Section, Patrol Unit, Community Services Section, and Special Response Team. In 2013 Major Holland was promoted to Captain and worked as the commander over the Criminal Investigations Division and Support Services Division. In 2018 he was promoted to Major and worked as the Bureau Commander over the Uniform Operations Bureau until his retirement.
During his career, Major Holland graduated from the FBI National Academy, Leadership in Police Organizations, Leadership Springfield (Class 31), and Missouri Police Chiefs Charitable Foundation Command College.
Upon retirement, Major Holland will continue to serve in the United States Army National Guard where he is currently the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his 30-year military career, Major Holland served two combat tours (Iraq in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2009).
Pictured: Major Vance Holland and Chief Paul Williams
Officer Richard Mansel
Officer Richard Mansel graduated from the 40th Springfield Police Academy in 1996. He began his career at SPD as a Patrol Officer, where he worked for six years before being assigned to the Traffic Unit. In 2004, Officer Mansel was deployed to Southwest Asia with the Army National Guard for a year-long tour in Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Officer Mansel returned to the patrol division in 2005, where he served until being assigned as a detective in the Property Crimes Unit in 2012. He worked in Property Crimes for four years until moving to the Vehicle Theft Unit, where he finished his career. Officer Mansel also retired from the Army National Guard in 2010 after serving 21 years.
Pictured: Officer Richard Mansel and Chief Paul Williams
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Media Contact Jasmine Bailey, Public Affairs Officer
[email protected]
(417) 864-1786
Release authorized by Chief Paul Williams