Patrol Officer Mike Johnson Retires

Chief Scott P. Livingstone has announced the retirement of Patrol Officer Michael A. Johnson after 20 years of exceptional service to the police department and the town of Amherst.

Originally from Bridgewater, Massachusetts, Officer Johnson was appointed as a Patrol Officer with the Amherst Police Department on October 1, 1990, and graduated from the 17th Municipal Police Officer Class at the Metro-Boston Police Academy in Needham, Massachusetts on January 25, 1991.

During Officer Johnson’s tenure, he was deeply involved in Community Policing Programs including neighborhood mediation, the bicycle patrol, and was assigned to the elementary schools as the department’s DARE Officer. Officer Johnson assisted in the development of the Champs Youth Mentoring Program at the Wildwood Elementary School and was an instructor at the ROPES Adventure Challenge Course. At the end of his career, Patrol Officer Johnson facilitated the departments Child Passenger Safety Seat Inspection Program. Officer Johnson was formally recognized in 2005 when he received the Heart Saver Award from the American Heart Association for saving a woman’s life. In addition, he has been the recipient of dozens of letters of praise and appreciation from community members.

“Mike Johnson is the epitome of a Community Policing Officer” said Chief Livingstone. “He could lead a neighborhood meeting with the professionalism of a seasoned officer, teach a group of 8 year olds the fundamentals of team work at our Ropes Course, and could chase and apprehend a fleeing felon. While we wish him well in his much deserved retirement, Mike Johnson will be greatly missed by all members the Amherst Police Department.”

Officer Michael A. Johnson is the son of Anne Johnson and the late Rebert Johnson, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He currently resides in Belchertown with his three children.

APD Funds Reflective Vests for Nordic Team

Chief of Police Scott P. Livingstone is pictured with the Amherst Regional High School (ARHS) Nordic Ski Team. This past December, Chief Livingstone was contacted by student members of the ARHS Nordic Ski Team for financial assistance to purchase reflective vest, as much of their training is done on town streets. The Amherst Police conduct numerous vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle safety campaigns to promote safety on our roadways, and we were happy to offer our assistance for such a worthy cause. Utilizing grant money that had been ear-marked towards community policing programs, Chief Livingstone supported this endeavor by funding $300 towards the purchase of this much needed safety equipment. Go Hurricanes!
(photo taken January 9, 2012 by team parent Martha Field)

Youth for Umass Day

Chief of Police Scott P. Livingstone is pleased to announce a partnership with UMASS Athletics and All State Materials Group of Sunderland, MA to partake in a 2012 “Youth for UMASS Day.” On January 28, 2012 Amherst Police Officers will be hosting and chaperoning a group of Amherst youth at the UMASS/St. Louis men’s basketball game at the Mullins Center. All State Materials Group generously donated 20 tickets for the youth and officers to attend the game. The event begins at 12:00 PM as the youth will participate in the Leaman Legacy Clinic @ Boyden Gym with UMASS athletes who will host interactive sport specific stations. Youth will then be brought to the 2:00PM game, with activities concluding at 5:00 PM. To participate in this free event, a parent or guardian will need to pre-register their child by Thursday January 26th, by contacting Officer William Laramee at either larameew@amherstma.gov or 413-259-3008. The event is open to youth ages 9-13, and will be accompanied by Officers William Laramee, Officer Yvonne Feliciano and Officer Joshus Harris. The parents/guardians will need to drop off their child at the Amherst Police Department at 11:45 AM and will need to pick up their child at the Amherst Police Department at 5:00 PM.

To pre-register, or for more information, contact Officer William Laramee at the Amherst Police Department 259-3008 or larameew@amherstma.gov.

Child Passenger Car Seat Installations

The Amherst Police Department is committed to the safety of our children. Motor vehicle crashes pose a tremendous risk for children. When properly installed, child safety seats reduce the risk of death in a motor vehicle crash by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. Safety belts reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a motor vehicle crash by up to 50%. This is where the Amherst Police Department can help.

The Amherst Police Department conducts Child Passenger Car Seat Inspections on the 3rd Saturday of each month. The next schedule inspection day is Saturday, January 21, 2012, by appointment only. Open to all community members, our certified technicians will thoroughly inspect child passenger car seats for wear and effectiveness and install them properly to assure the safest ride for our children. To schedule a 30 minute appointment either e-mail the Amherst Police Department or call 413-259-3355.

The Amherst Police Department has received funding from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Highway Safety Division for the equipment necessary to complete the inspections and installations. Questions regarding this program can be forwarded to Officer Felipe Feliciano via email or call (413) 259-3000.

False Alarm Fee Bylaw

The Amherst Police Department would like to remind community members of the False Alarm Bylaw. Passed in April 2008 by the Amherst Town Meeting, fees are assessed to owners of property with repeated responses by the Amherst Police to false burglar alarms. The bylaw appears to be effective in encouraging community members to address faulty systems or internal procedures that cause false alarms. In 2011, the Amherst Police Department responded to 638 false alarm calls.


The False Alarm Fee Bylaw addresses burglar or intrusion alarms only and does not include fire alarms or medical alert systems. During each calendar year, a location is permitted three false burglar or intrusion alarms prior to a fine being assessed. Questions regarding the bylaw can be referred to the Amherst Police Records Office at 413-259-3016 or via email. Information can also be found on our website. The bylaw in its entirety is below.

Amherst, Massachusetts General Bylaws

Any residence, school, municipal building or place of business which has an alarm system connected directly to the Police Department or connected indirectly to said Department through a private alarm company (each of which will be hereinafter referred to as a “monitored system”), shall be charged a fine for all responses by the Department to such buildings when the response is caused by: (1) the activation of the monitored system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, or negligence of the user of an alarm system or his employees or agents; or (2) the activation of the monitored system requesting, requiring or resulting in a response on the part of the Police Department when, in fact, there has been no unauthorized intrusion, robbery or burglary, or attempted threat. For the purposes of this bylaw, activation of a monitored system for the purposes of testing with prior approval by the Police Department, or by an act of God, including, but not limited to, power outages, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and similar weather or atmospheric disturbances shall not be deemed to be a false alarm. A fine for violation of this bylaw may be assessed against the owner or tenant of the residence or place of business. Penalties for violation of this bylaw shall be as follows, successive responses to be counted within any twelve month period:


First three responses Warning; Fourth response $ 50.00; Fifth response $ 75.00; Sixth response $100.00; Seventh response $150.00; Eighth and subsequent responses $200.00;


This section may be enforced pursuant to the noncriminal disposition method as contained in M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 21D. Enforcing persons shall be police officers.

Police Entrance Exam

The Amherst Police Department is offering an Entrance Exam for the position of Amherst Police Officer. Go the Exam 2012 link on our website for registration information. http://www.amherstpd.org/.

This March 3, 2012 exam will be used to develop an eligibility list to fill future vacancies through 2013, which could be in excess of 5 positions. The last examination was offered in September of 2010, 180 candidates took the test and 6 were hired as police officers. For more information on the recruitment process see our website. Also, questions can be forwarded to Lt. William Menard.

College Internship Program: NEW

The Amherst Police Department of formalizing our internship program. We have recently developed a Position Description and Application process to allow for the hiring of unpaid college interns for the Spring, Summer or Fall semesters. For a more detailed description of our program, please visit the College Internship link on our webpage, www.amherstpd.org.

Questions? Contact Captain Jennifer Gundersen via email or at 413-259-3012.