Amherst police want American Rescue Plan money for bonuses, mental health

AMHERST — Police are asking City Council to apply for $196,000 in American Rescue Plan funds to pay out bonuses and cover mental health counseling for officers who stay in Amherst. Lt. Dan Makruski told the Finance Committee on Monday that there is $250 million in grants available, with a June 17 deadline to apply. If Amherst is awarded a chunk of that change, retention bonuses would be paid out in increments over the next two years, he said. Personnel who leave during that time would forfeit any remaining installments. Command staff — including Makruski — would not be eligible to receive the incentive payments. The city's five sergeants, 16 full-time officers, two part-timer officers and eight dispatchers would be eligible. Hiring rules make it easy for police to move from department to department, Mayor Mark Costilow said. He doesn't believe any Amherst officers are unhappy because of their working conditions, which had been an issue under former police Chief Joseph Kucirek. But higher pay and other factors can be attractive, he said. "I don't think we have the morale issue we used to have, but there are people who are constantly looking for other jobs," Costilow said. Makruski also asked Council to apply for American Rescue Plan funding to promote officer wellness. It's a stressful job — suicide and divorce rates among police officers are well above the national average, he said. Suicide took the lives of more police officers in 2019 than felonious killings or accidental deaths in the line of duty, the FBI reported. The FBI also claims, based on American Psychological Association data, that the divorce rate among members of the law enforcement community can be as high as 70 percent. The actual rate has been debated across many studies, with some claiming it's as low as 14 percent. "As you know there is also an increased risk to officers when it comes to heart attack," Makruski told the Finance Committee. "There's a sedentary lifestyle sometimes riding around in a cruiser. Back pain, shoulder issues, everything." With federal funding in hand, Amherst police would attend health counseling every six months for two years. There is an expectation that police would continue to get check-ins for at least a year after the grant is over, Makruski said. Council is expected to vote Monday to allow police to apply for the money ahead of the deadline. Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.