Myers brings Holyoke Police Department up to 3 officers

As of April 24, Holyoke Police Department is back up to three officers with the addition of Commander William “JR” Myers. While it’s not the five officers the department had a year ago, it’s progress — especially considering the impact COVID-19 is having on police academies. Chief Doug Bergstrom is still looking to hire a fourth officer, but he suspects it won’t happen anytime soon because academies are on hold.

Myers is a familiar face among local law enforcement as he’s worked at Phillips County Sheriff’s Office since May 2017. There he served as undersheriff. At HPD, he is replacing Sgt. Mark Werts, who recently resigned.

Overall, Myers is coming up on 20 years of law enforcement experience, working in areas ranging from detentions to patrol to antiterrorism. He has a master’s degree in criminal justice administration and is a combat veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Army.

The reason for Myers’ move to HPD is twofold: It’s good for the department and it’s good for him individually. It’s no secret that the department was struggling with just two people on the force. Myers saw the job as an opportunity to help Bergstrom out and help get HPD back on track. Personally, Myers’ long-term career goal is to be the head of a law enforcement agency. Assuming the role of commander is a step toward that goal.

Some in the community may wonder what the difference is between sergeant and commander. Myers explained that the different title doesn’t change what the City gets from him. He is still in an administrative position beneath Bergstrom just as Werts was. Commander is, however, a title that reflects Myers’ experience as undersheriff.

In the past, Bergstrom and Myers worked on several operations together. Myers said that, in doing so, the two found they worked well as a team. Bergstrom agreed and looks forward to their continued work together within HPD.

Having lived in Holyoke since he started at PCSO three years ago, Myers is continually becoming more familiar with the community, and his wife, Corrin, is now a legal assistant at Cline Williams. Myers has five children: Jordan, 17, Mikah, 15, Emma, 11, Mason, 6, and Alexis, 2.