AMHERST — In a college town where loud parties and drunken revelry can be the norm, protecting the quality of life for Amherst’s permanent residents is a constant concern.
Since fall 2015 when he assumed the neighborhood liaison officer job, William Laramee has served as a link between the Amherst Police Department, homeowners and University of Massachusetts administrators and students, in ongoing efforts to promote a level of tranquility.
“I’ve always believed in education and outreach, as opposed to enforcement,” Laramee says about his role. “We can identify the problem and then work to sustain the quality of life that is more satisfactory to them.”
For his ongoing service, Laramee was recognized earlier this month with the Richard Werenski Officer of the Year award from the Western Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.
The award, named after a late Holyoke officer, is given annually to an officer in the four western counties who has “demonstrated within his or her department, the highest standards of professional conduct, and diligence to duty, loyalty, honesty and integrity, as a police officer” and also has made an “initiative to address situations before they become problems, and be a model of the law enforcement code of ethics.”
During the annual event at the Delaney House in Holyoke, Eric Gillis, police chief in Agawam and president of the association, and Amherst Police Chief Scott Livingstone presented the award.
“Officer Laramee, since joining the Amherst Police Department, has been indispensable in filling a myriad of roles within the department throughout his career,” Livingstone said.
“It’s a pretty big deal to know the work I’m doing is recognized by the chief of police and supported by the nominating committee,” Laramee said.
The award also holds special meaning for Laramee. Present for the ceremony was his grandfather, Armand Laramee, who turns 95 in February and was, at one time, Werenski’s partner on the Holyoke police force.
Werenski, who died in 1996, was a member of the Holyoke department for more than 40 years.
Laramee’s work for the past six years has involved speaking with residents who have complaints about issues including late-night noise, property damage and trash thrown in yards. He works with neighborhood groups and members of fraternities and sororities, and assists UMass students who are part of similar projects, including Team Positive Presence and Walk This Way, and for the past year and a half, the COVID Ambassadors. Those groups, along with Laramee, have had 28,000 interactions over the past year with other students.
Last year, the department added Winston, a chocolate Labrador retriever that accompanies Laramee and serves as a comfort dog.
“He’s a huge asset to the work I do, but a bigger asset to the department,” Laramee said. “Winston is able to do work that I’m not able to — he helps break the ice, he’s definitely good at breaking down barriers.”
Laramee’s tenure in the department has also included founding the Amherst Youth Police Adventure Academy, serving as liaison to the Strategic Partnership for Families and Youth Coalition and chairing the department’s bicycle unit, as well as leading physical fitness initiatives.
Though he is the person honored, Laramee credited partners for any success, along with Livingstone and the other command staff, Capts. Ron Young and Gabe Ting, for allowing him to pursue policing in an unconventional manner.
“The award is recognition of my work but it is really a testament to the work of a committed team all pushing in the same direction,” Laramee said at the ceremony.
“Yes, I’m the recipient, but it’s a team effort,” Laramee said.
