Assistant chief named head of town police department
Follows in family's footsteps
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Assistant Chief John C. Askey, left, was named the next chief of police at Monday's Amherst Town Board meeting. The current Chief John Moslow will retire next month after eight years in the position.

Assistant Chief John C. Askey received a standing ovation at Monday's Amherst Town Board meeting when he was named the next police chief.

"I felt very proud that Supervisor Mohan and Chief Moslow felt I had the qualifications to lead this department," he said.

Having served as assistant chief for the past year, Askey, 44, will become chief on July 10 with the retirement of Chief John Moslow after 32 years with the department and eight as chief.

"Chief Moslow is an exceptionally professional man; he was an excellent chief," Askey said. "He worked tirelessly for the people of the town ... I couldn't have had a better boss."

It is those work ethics that Askey said he will try his best to uphold. He said he will take the lessons of chiefs before him, as well as senior members of the Police Department, to serve the town to the best of his ability.

Moslow spoke at Monday's meeting on the promotion of Askey.

"I'm proud to stand here today and introduce (Askey) as the next chief. I hope he has a long future serving the Town of Amherst," Moslow said.

The following morning, Askey said he received a call from former chief Herbert Zimmerman, congratulating him on the appointment.

"He was a big part of the department ... I will carry on the traditions he established," said Askey, who is looking forward to addressing the problems facing the town.

"We want to maintain close contact with the citizens of the town, making sure we work with public and private groups. We can't do it alone, the department needs close connections," he said.

Askey added that he wants to maintain a high quality of life for some areas that are dealing with serious issues.

Improving himself within the department was always Askey's main goal. Since joining the department in 1987 he said he took advantage of opportunities when made available.

In 1993 he was named a lieutenant and supervised the field training of new recruits. He also rose to the position of commander of the Emergency Response Team. In 1999 he was named a captain and in 2006, assistant chief.

He has two merit awards from the department to his credit, the most recent for his leadership during the October 2006 storm.

Askey scored the highest in the department on the Erie County civil service exam for chief, a 93.

"When I knew the position had become available I put attention towards achieving it. I knew if I was selected I could serve the department in a different, bigger, way," he said.

Askey's wife and two sons were with him when he was appointed. Following Monday's meeting, Askey called his parents.

"They were very proud and happy for me," he said. Askey's father, John, served as Amherst police chief from 1989 to 1999. This is the first time in the history of the town that the son of a former chief has also become chief.

Askey said he has known since attending high school at Williamsville North that he wanted to work in law enforcement.

"It has been a tradition in my family. I always admired my dad and uncle," said Askey, whose uncle, Tom Askey, recently retired as major of Troop A of the New York State Police.

With Askey's promotion to chief, an assistant chief will be named, followed by additional appointments at the captain and lieutenant levels.

Askey said he will be making his recommendation for assistant chief to Supervisor Satish Mohan and the Town Board in the coming weeks.