ERVING — The Police Department is one step closer to being fully staffed after the Selectboard voted unanimously on Monday to appoint Joe Doescher as a patrol officer and sign an agreement with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for support in coordinating law enforcement activities.
Following the resignation of four patrol officers over a three-month period, Erving Police Chief Robert Holst and interim Sheriff Lori Streeter have been negotiating an agreement for Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)-certified officers to cover open shifts in Erving, particularly the 3 to 11 p.m. shift. Holst told the Selectboard Monday night that the proposed agreement reflects changes he requested to “maximize effective cooperation between FCSO and EPD,” including the use of body-worn and vehicle cameras.
The memorandum of understanding states that “FCSO Deputy Sheriffs shall exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the EPD in the Town of Erving to the full extent of their lawful authority. When acting alone in the town, an FCSO Deputy Sheriff may not affect a warrantless arrest unless given express authority for such warrantless arrest under statutory or common law. FCSO deputies may assist EPD Officers in affecting any and all arrests as requested by EPD.”
The agreement outlines response and reporting procedures, noting that the Erving Police Department has primary responsibility for any investigations into incidents resulting in death or serious harm. Officers with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office will wear body cameras issued by the Erving Police Department when they are working in town, and give the department access to its cruiser camera system.
“I have no concerns regarding Section D: body cameras and cruiser,” Selectboard member William Bembury said.
The Selectboard voted unanimously to authorize Holst to sign the agreement, pending review by town counsel. The agreement is for one year and can be ended early at any point with a 14-day written notice.
The Sheriff’s Office will also be taking on animal control duties in town, effective July 1. The Selectboard unanimously agreed to join the regional animal control services.
The town will be able to appoint a representative to the Regional Animal Control Advisory Committee, and the animal control officer with the Sheriff’s Office shall “handle neighborhood disputes regarding animals, investigate all reported bites, work with the animal inspector to order quarantine of biting domestic animals pursuant to state guidelines, and perform such duties as are necessary on a live biting animal or carcass to
prepare and deliver it for rabies testing; [and] investigate any animal cruelty, abandonment or protective custody cases,” among other duties.
With Doescher, as well as Alexander Meisner and Nicolas Stone, having been appointed to patrol officer positions during a Selectboard meeting last month, the department will have three out of four vacant patrol officer positions filled.
Doescher was appointed with a pay rate of $28.91 per hour, effective May 18, the same as Meisner. Stone will be paid $28.16 per hour for one year, pending completion of the police academy and other pre-employment requirements set by the town. Meisner is expected to start by April 27 or possibly sooner.
Doescher graduated from the Holyoke Police Academy in May 2025 and previously worked as an officer at the Hatfield Police Department and as a cadet at the Northampton Police Department. Holst told the Selectboard that Doescher was recommended by the hiring committee, and following a second interview, Holst believed he was a strong candidate. Holst said Doescher, like Meisner, just needs on-the-job training, and added that Doescher speaks three languages: English, Spanish and German.
“He made a very good impression on the committee. He was recommended and I sat down with him shortly after, and again, I’m very impressed with this young man,” Holst said. “I think he would be an asset and I think he has a lot of potential.”
