Police force finally reaches 154
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Moslow

Approximately two years and one lawsuit later the Amherst Police Department has its force of 154 officers.

Chief John Moslow said four of five new hires started the academy on Monday. The fifth is not required to attend because he transferred from the Erie County Sheriff's Department.

"I hope this is behind the Police Department," he said about Supervisor Satish Mohan's resistance to hiring the officers.

Moslow added he wants the debate resolved so he can continue to put forth highly qualified candidates to fill future vacancies without conflict.

Hired were Jordan R. Grabar, a former Erie County Sheriff; David B. Schneider, an Amherst police dispatcher; Daniel R. Buscher, a corrections officer; Dean L. Swoger, a University at Buffalo officer; and Samantha Humbert, who will be Amherst's 10th female officer.

The Amherst Town Board voted 7-0 on Monday to appoint the five officers but only after a heated debate that involved the opinion of three attorneys and rewording of the resolution.

Council Member Bill Kindel and Mohan both asked private attorneys to attend the meeting. They, along with attorneys from the town, went into recess to reword the resolution.

Attorney Richard Lippes, who was asked to attend by Kindel, commented on approving the hirings, saying, "Let's do what seven people on this board want to do."

Mohan, who had been opposed to the appointments, sponsored the resolution.

The debate started in 2005 after the Town Board voted in 2004 to budget for an additional three officers. Then, with two vacancies remaining unfilled, the department needed two additional officers.

Stating that he would not sign paperwork to hire the officers, Mohan stalled the process for most of 2006. The Amherst Police Club filed a lawsuit against the town on the grounds that Mohan did not have the sole authority in the hiring of police officers.

In October 2006, Erie County Court Judge Joseph Glownia ruled in favor of the Police Club. However, to date, Glownia has not signed a written order to that effect.

Acknowledging the pending litigation, the board chose to move forward because of the academy start date and hire the officers.

Detective Edward Guzdek Jr., president of the Amherst Police Club, said he was certain the five officers were official. He added that he hopes the litigation will be final and will not affect future hirings.

Kindel said he couldn't have been happier walking out of Monday's meeting.

"I couldn't have felt more refreshed ... I was walking on cloud nine," he said, adding that fighting may still continue among the board members, but it shouldn't have affected the hiring of five officers to protect the town.

Officer Grabar will attend orientation and begin the 10-week field training program, which includes daily evaluation. The four other officers will attend a 23-week academy and then enter the 10-week Amherst program.