SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING REVIEWS POLICIES AND OPERATIONS OF AMHERST POLICE

The meeting was held via Zoom webcast and broadcast on Amherst Media Channel 17 on July 7, 2020. . It can be viewed here.

Participants: Town Councilors were joined by Police Chief Scott Livingstone and Captains Ron Young and Gabe Ting.

This special Town Council meeting was arranged to inform the Council on the policies and operations of the Amherst Police Department (APD), in response to recent incidents of police brutality around the country. The aims of the meeting were expressed in a memo from Town Manager Paul Bockelman to Livingstone on June 29 which specified the concerns of the councilors. 

In response to the memo, the Chief and Captains delivered a detailed 90-minute presentation on the organization and policies of the department . 

Livingstone began with presenting the department’s newly revised mission statement:

“The Amherst Police Department (APD) values the dedication and integrity of all members of the Department. APD values the diversity of the Amherst community and is grateful for its support and partnership. APD strives to protect the safety, rights and property of every person within the Town of Amherst. APD holds itself to the highest professional and ethical standards.”

The APD currently has 44 officers. Eight are women and eight identify with a minority group. Forty-one have higher education degrees and 13 have graduate degrees. The Town is budgeted for 48 officers.

The APD has an extensive recruitment process, lasting 9 or 10 months. Although the entrance exam was eliminated 4 or 5 years ago to encourage diversity, potential recruits go through a physical fitness assessment, at least two interviews, a thorough background check, psychological testing, and medical clearance. Once accepted, recruits go through a 26-week course with 14 weeks of field training, at least 40 hours of annual training, and at least 15 hours of service training. Officers undergo use of force training at least twice a year and also train in First Response, CPR, and use of naloxone for narcotic overdoses.

In 2001, APD became the second fully accredited department in the State under the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission. It has been assessed successfully six times since then. The APD asks for public input in the accreditation process.

APD has four cruisers on the street and one dispatcher in the station. For high-risk events, usually associated with college students, there are more officers on duty, and sometimes additional officers are hired. The department deals with 18,000 service calls per year. Criminal charge rates have decreased from 1,500 ten years ago to 650 last year. It is believed that this decrease is largely due to extensive outreach by the APD. Kasey Nagel is the liaison officer who maintains contact with high-risk populations. Bill Laramee is the Neighborhood Liaison, who works with students who live off-campus and their relationships with nearby residents. The department found that “holding students accountable for acting like adults” produced more favorable results than arresting them for disorderly behavior. All APD policies are public record, posted on the web site www.amherstpd.org . The Police Union contracts are posted there as well. All policies are required to be reviewed every three years. Public input is encouraged.

APD does not use or possess military grade equipment. It has no tasers, tear gas, or rubber bullets. If necessary, pepper ball guns may be used to quell disturbances. Pepper spray is a short-acting irritant. Rather than carry a large baton, APD officers have an expandable one which is less obtrusive. The department purchased riot gear several years ago after students were throwing rocks at the police. However, the gear is left in the cruiser unless it is needed, as the department found that showing up in riot gear incited violence rather than inhibiting it.

All complaints about the department are investigated, even if they are anonymous. Complaints may be submitted on the APD web site, to the Town Manager or in writing to the Police Chief. Complaints can also be directed to the Human Rights Committee or to Human Resources. Every use of force is thoroughly investigated and any use of a firearm must be referred to the Northwest District Attorney. Livingstone stated that in his 42 years in Amherst, he does not remember an instance of a firearm being used. Incidences of use of force are usually in the single digits per year.

There are 12 civilian dispatchers, all with specialized training, including in mental health. Seventy-five percent of the force is trained in crisis intervention. 

The Councilors had many questions. Councilor George Ryan (District 3) asked if there is racial data on police stops. Ting said the data are available but are not published. In response to a question by Councilor Steve Schreiber (District 4), Livingstone said that facial recognition surveillance is not being considered. He responded to Councilor Dorothy Pam (District 3) that choke holds and knee holds are never taught and never used. Councilor Mandi Jo Hanneke (At-large) asked about the treatment of juveniles, and Livingstone said the aim is to keep them out of the system, that fewer than ten juveniles per year are charged with crimes, and that Marcus Humber is the liaison officer for juveniles. Livingstone said he rewrote the policy for juveniles three or four months ago.

Councilor Cathy Schoen (District 1) asked about mental health advocacy. Livingstone stated they are working to have a mental health clinician-advocate work with the police and have an office in the police station. Eugene, Oregon has such a program, with an RN and mental health professional dispatched for mental health emergencies. Fewer than 1 percent of cases require police intervention, according to a comment by resident Rick Last of Middle Street.

Nine letters were submitted to the Council about the police and can be found here.. There were over 60 attendees at the Zoom meeting. Several spoke about the need for mental health professionals to handle the growing number of mental health crises. Zoe Crabtree of South Amherst complained about the amount of time police cars spend idling and wasting gas,which is bad for the environment.

The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.

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