Heastie, McMahon announce $750,000 for Amherst Police Department dispatch center

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his tour in Western New York with Assemblymember Karen McMahon at the Amherst Police Department Community Policing & Training Facility, where they announced $750,000 in funding for improvements to the Amherst Police dispatch center.

Heastie and McMahon toured the facility on Thursday and were joined by Amherst Police Department Chief Scott Chamberlin.

Heastie said, “The Amherst Police Department is doing important work here to get police officers the training they need to better respond to emergency calls of all types. I was particularly impressed with the simulation technology that enables officers to practice responding to a variety of emergency situations. Today’s funding for the dispatch center will help the Amherst Police Department to better serve the community and keep people safe.”

McMahon said, “I can’t thank Speaker Heastie enough for joining me today at the Community Policing and Training Facility here in Amherst. The facility has become a vital resource for police training, not just for the Amherst Police Department, but for a variety of Western New York agencies – particularly in the area of disability awareness training. I know the importance of continual training to ensure our emergency responders have all the tools necessary to keep our community safe, and I am thankful for the funding allocated by the Assembly majority to support this work.”

In addition to touring the facility, McMahon and the speaker also saw the unveiling of a mural painted on the side of the building by artist Jalen Law, which was funded by a $40,000 grant from the Assembly majority.