Judge sides with Amherst Police Club in lawsuit
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

The Amherst Police Department appears to be on its way to reaching its current allowance of 154 officers.

Detective Edward Guzdek Jr., president of the Amherst Police Club, said Erie County Court Judge Joseph Glownia has ruled in favor of the Police Club after hearing statements on Oct. 20.

The Police Club had filed a lawsuit in August against the Town of Amherst and Supervisor Satish Mohan stating that Mohan did not have the sole authority in the hiring of police officers.

The town attorney's office represented the Town of Amherst and Mohan.

"Judge Glownia basically agreed with our opinion, that it's the Town Board that determines the staffing level of the police department," Guzdek said.

The Town Board voted in 2004 to add an additional three officers to the force, making the total 154. Those hirings never took place.

Guzdek said the department is currently operating without five officers, partly due to retirements. He said the next police academy begins in January, and the department would hire officers to fill the existing vacancies.

During Monday's work session, Council Member Bill Kindel said that with this decision, the Town Board will have to address the lawsuit and what the next decision on the board's part will be.

A court order from Judge Glownia is expected to be signed within the month.