Schultz, according to Gowanda Officer-in-Charge Dennis Feldmann, was previously an Akron officer and both Ess and Schultz rose to the top quickly during the interviews.

“The two people here tonight are of the last few I interviewed,” Feldmann said at the meeting. “With the backgrounds of criminal justice and investigations, they were the cream of the crop. Mitch and Megan rose to the top (with) their excitement, their enthusiasm that they will bring to the village of Gowanda.”Out of the 18 candidates, Schultz and Ess stole the two openings. Schultz and Ess’ families were present as the duo took the oath of office at the meeting, smiling as they are a part of the Gowanda Police Department.

Feldmann added that the department is in more demand as of the last year. His year in review showed a spike in police need for Gowanda.

“We are 2,000 calls above last year,” he said. “We are about 150 arrests above last year. We are working on the cameras for the business district. I want to do what’s best for Gowanda, both price and quality, before I report to the board.”

OBSERVER Photo by Andrew Kuczkowski Gowanda Mayor David Smith, far right, does the oath of office for Mitchell Schultz to enter the Gowanda Police Department. Schultz invited his family to attend the meeting.

The Gowanda Village Board meets the second Tuesday of every month, barring a conflict. The next meeting will be Feb. 13 starting at 4:30 for a worksession on the village budget and the regular meeting is at 6 p.m.

Twitter: @Kuczkowski95