Community Policing

    The Amherst Police is a full-time department consisting of both full-time and part-time officers.  At all times, there is a minimum of two marked patrol vehicles on duty.  Our facility is located in the Amherst Police, Fire and Rescue Complex at 175 Amherst Street.

    The Amherst Police Station is physically manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  All emergency communications for Police, Ambulance and Fire are handled by the elite staff of the Amherst Public Safety Communications Center.   

    The following services are provided by the Amherst Police Department over and above the normal services expected:

• Good Morning Amherst is a program in which the elderly or physically impaired call every morning to verify that they are well and do not need assistance.  Failure to call during the designated time results in the administrative personnel calling the participant to see if everything is alright.  A negative response or no answer results in the immediate dispatch of a police officer to check on the well being of the subject.
• Property Checks of residences when people are on vacation or out of the immediate area are provided.  Residents should call or come to the station during normal duty hours and provide us with all necessary information.   Physical checks of your residence are conducted while the officer is performing routine patrol functions.  Security procedures are taken so that vacant properties are not disclosed over the radio.
• Special House Checks are provided for families that are departing either on weekends or for vacation, and are leaving young adults or children at home.  The check identifies who is permitted within the home, by name, and authorizes police to check the residence and take whatever action necessary if others are present.   The original is filed with the department and a copy is taken by the homeowner to post within the home.  This procedure has reduced peer pressure on the young adults left at home and has dramatically reduced unauthorized house parties when the parents are not home.
• Crime Prevention Programs are available in an effort to ensure that with the assistance of the residents, Amherst remains a safe community to reside.
• Neighborhood Watch Programs wherein an officer will meet with the residents of the neighborhood to explain crime prevention techniques, available upon request.
• Security Inspections are offered to individual homeowners by appointment to outline deficiencies in home security.
• Operation Identification the department maintains engravers at the station to loan to any resident who wishes to participate in this program.
• Fingerprinting will gladly be done during normal business hours.  This includes any member of a family for personal retention.   Children must be accompanied by a parent for this service.
• John T. Osborn Memorial Scholarship  is awarded annually to a graduating Senior at the Souhegan High School who plans to study Criminal Justice at a college or university.  Please speak with your school guidance counselor for more information.