Earlier this week, Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced he would implement the Police Council Program to ensure a closer working relationship between his office and 28 police agencies in Erie County.
The program assigns an assistant district attorney to each police department to be available for assistance.
The police agencies involved in the program are: New York State Police, Erie County Sheriff's Office, NFTA Police, Buffalo Housing Authority/Strike Force, Akron Police, Amherst Police, Blasdell Police, Brant Police, Cheektowaga Police, Depew Police, East Aurora Police, Eden Police, Evans Police, Grand Island Police, Gowanda Police, Hamburg (Town and Village) Police, Kenmore Police, Lackawanna Police, Lancaster Police, Orchard Park Police, City of Tonawanda Police, Town of Tonawanda Police, and West Seneca Police. It also includes the police departments at Canisius College, Erie Community College, SUNY Buffalo and the University at Buffalo.
Under the program, prosecutors instruct police, assist at crime scenes, review and prepare search warrants and other legal documents, and keep police apprised of changes in the law that affect how they carry out their duties.
This is an extension of a current program in the district attorney's office that has an ADA assigned as a liaison to each of the police districts in the City of Buffalo.
"Our current policy has been helpful in improving communication, but it doesn't go far enough, "Flynn said. "We need to reach out to all members of law enforcement. When police and prosecutors are working hand-in-hand, our communities are safer, and the residents of Erie County are better served."
ADAs assigned to police agencies will also be involved in community outreach and will support the departments' efforts to improve relations in their respective jurisdictions.
