AMHERST — A 30-year member of the Amherst police force, and two firefighters with extensive experience, are taking on new leadership roles at the town’s public safety departments.

At the Police Department, Lt. William Menard has been promoted to captain of operations, replacing Police Chief Gabriel Ting in that position. Ting had been a captain since February 2019.

As lieutenant, Menard has overseen the detective bureau since 2016, handling property and evidence, investigations and court functions. 

Hired as a patrol officer in 1994 after beginning his law enforcement career five years earlier as a reserve officer in Granby, Menard has been a detective and sergeant as well, with experiences in criminal investigations, patrol supervision, recruitment and accreditation. Before returning to the detective bureau, Menard spent six years in charge of the department’s fleet, handled scheduling and recruitment, and served as the department’s accreditation manager.

In his new capacity, Menard’s primary mission will be to command and oversee all functions related to patrol, focusing on community policing efforts, as well as seeking to enhance public trust through transparent and effective law enforcement.

Menard, who graduated from the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Academy in Agawam in April 1995, joins Ting and Capt. Ronald Young, who handles the department’s administrative functions, on the leadership team.

At the Amherst Fire Department, Stephen Gaughan was named assistant chief for operations and training as of Dec. 30 by by Fire Chief Lindsay Stromgren.

Joining the department in 2005 as a firefighter/paramedic, Gaughan has been a captain since 2016.

Gaughan’s new job entails overseeing operational strategies, training programs and community outreach initiatives. He also serves as a fire investigator for the town and is a member of the Western Massachusetts Hazardous Material team. 

The other change at Amherst fire is Benjamin Graham becoming a captain. A member of the department for 18 years, Graham first joined the Student Force in 2007 while enrolled at the University of Massachusetts.

As captain, Graham will lead his team in day-to-day operations. Graham also serves as a member of the Western Massachusetts Technical Rescue team and an instructor for the Massachusetts Fire Academy.  

“These promotions reflect our dedication to building a strong leadership foundation in our public safety departments," Town Manager Paul Bockelman said in a statement. “We are confident that with their experience and commitment to serving our community, they will make substantial contributions to public safety in Amherst.”