Amherst PD issues awards

AMHERST — The Amherst Police Department issued its Summer 2016 Departmental Awards on Wednesday. Recipients included Officer Brian Farrell, Captain Enzio Villalta, and the department’s Intelligence Unit.

Officer Brian Farrell is the recipient of the department’s Merit Award.

Around 9:44 p.m. on May 23, Officer Ferrell responded to a welfare-check complaint involving a female on the bridge from the I-290 eastbound to the I-990 northbound who was at the railing and appeared to be contemplating jumping off of the bridge. When Officer Ferrell arrived, he found an apparent disabled vehicle in the vicinity and he began speaking with the driver who informed him that she was looking for her friend who she thinks ran down towards the 290. Officer Farrell relayed the information to dispatch and additional patrols and he continued to gather additional information.

As Officer Farrell was still gathering additional information he observed a female emerge from the brush on the west side of the bridge. The female immediately began to run towards the top of the overpass and Officer Farrell gave chase. Officer Farrell tackled the female just as she was attempting to jump over the railing into the roadway below. He was able to safely detain the female and he quickly transitioned to de-escalate the situation.

His quick, decisive action quickly resolved a volatile situation and he prevented a distraught teenager from harming herself.

The Intelligence Unit, comprised of Captain Enzio Villalta, Captain Scott Chamberlin, Captain James McNamara, Officer Craig Johnson, and Officer David Casterline (ret.), was awarded the Unit Citation.

Since its inception in July 2013 the Intelligence Unit has distinguished itself through outstanding service working in an exceptional manner to provide timely, valuable information to members of the police department.

The Intelligence Unit was formed in order to organize the numerous available sources of information that are distributed throughout the police department. The Intelligence Unit’s goal was to efficiently coordinate the distribution of this information to the appropriate personnel in a timely manner. This goal has been far exceeded and the Intelligence Unit has become an invaluable resource for all members of the police department, as well as other local, state, and federal agencies that the police department works with.

The Intelligence Unit has successfully organized the vast amount of information provided to the police department on a daily basis by developing new distribution channels. The Intelligence Unit has developed a Daily Field Intelligence Report available to all members of the police department online summarizing on-going trends, recent arrests, and other miscellaneous information.  The Intelligence Unit has also developed timely Intelligence Bulletins alerting all members of the police department of specific relevant policing issues to be aware of.

Additionally, the Intelligence Unit has assisted the Detective Bureau with numerous suspect identifications utilizing local media outlets and social media to assist.  The Intelligence Unit has played an important role in every major investigation that has occurred since its inception and it has standardized how the department utilizes social media and other resources to assist with major case investigations, missing persons investigations, and general background investigations.
While the Intelligence Unit is a work in progress, the unit is continuously active and the resulting intelligence and information is of great assistance to the mission of the Amherst Police Department.

Captain Enzio Villalta was honored with the Distinguished Service Medal, given for incidents involving service so distinguished that it is far beyond the normal level. It may be given for continued distinguished service over an extended period and must reflect credit upon both the officer and the department.

Captain Villalta has demonstrated distinguished service throughout his 33 year career at the Amherst Police Department. He was hired as a patrol officer on July 25, 1983 and in 1991 he was awarded a Merit Award, VFW Outstanding Officer Award, and Amherst Bee Runner Up award for his actions in arresting an offender who robbed a woman of her purse. Captain Villalta observed the offender’s vehicle in heavy traffic on Niagara Falls Boulevard and the offender led officers on a vehicle pursuit which ended after a single car accident. Captain Villalta was able to apprehend the offender after a foot pursuit without further incident.

In 1991 Captain Villalta was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant where he was assigned to the patrol division until 1996 when he was promoted to Captain.

Captain Villalta significant impact on the police department is difficult to measure. Captain Villalta has been involved with the hiring and promotion process of almost the entire police force during last 20 years which has significantly impacted the police department as it is today. He has also made his mark on the department in his numerous assignments throughout his career including Patrol Captain, Administrative Captain, Traffic Captain, and Detective Captain. During his various assignments he has commanded almost every unit of the police department. Captain Villalta takes pride in his work and has made improvements to every unit under his command including innovative projects like “slicktop” vehicles, acquiring a total station for accident reconstruction, and assisting with the formation of the Family Offense Unit.  Captain Villalta has supervised and coordinated numerous high profile investigations including the Fruehauf case (Fatal Hit and Run), Cartagena case (Homicide of child), and the Sanchez case (Bike Path Rapist) which all resulted in successful prosecutions.

Captain Villalta is a true professional and outstanding colleague who is a highly respected member of the Amherst Police Department.  Captain Villalta’s experience and skills will be greatly missed upon his retirement in August.