Lakewood-Busti Police Department’s new police chief, Matthew Bentley, loves helping people. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

LAKEWOOD — Law enforcement is in his DNA – literally and figuratively.

For Police Chief Matthew Bentley, it’s more than just paperwork behind a desk.

“It sounds cliche, but I really do like to help people,” Bentley said. That’s just not the citizens out there, I like to help people I work with that I work with too.”

He helps his co-workers by providing officer wellness which includes mental health, physical health, financial health, and family health.

Before being appointed as the chief of the Lakewood-Busti Police Department, Matthew Bentley worked for the Jamestown Police Department for about 17 years.

When the chief position became available due to the retirement of Chris DePonceau in March, Matthew Bentley decided to apply.

“I thought, I’ve got nothing to lose. I’m going to give it a shot, and it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do,” Matthew Bentley said. “And this is my home town. I’ve either lived in Lakewood or (the town of) Busti my entire life.”

Village trustees appointed him to the position on April 16 with a salary of $95,000.

Trustee Ben Troche said Bentley was selected after a rigorous interview, and background process with representatives from the Public Safety Committee, Mayor, Town Council, LBPD, and the public participating.

“He was chosen due to his strong background in education, police training, and supervisory experience. In just the few months since he has started, he has already demonstrated his strong capabilities to lead and manage LBPD to today’s policing standards and expectations that are ever changing,” Troche said.

Trustee Ellen Barnes echoed Troche’s thoughts, and said Bentley was one of three highly qualified candidates who applied for the chief’s position, and after an extensive interview process, the mayor chose Matthew Bentley to be the next police chief.

“Matt has brought with him to LBPD his experience from working at JPD and numerous police training schools he attended. It is early in his employment with LBPD, and things at the police department are going well, Barnes said. “As with the other chiefs of police I have served with and known, Matt brings with him the knowledge and integrity needed for this position. Navigating through these more difficult times for police departments will be challenging for any chief of police. Matt has the skills and knowledge to keep our community safe. We are pleased that he accepted the position.”

Barnes noted that Matthew will be the second Bentley to serve as the LBPD Chief.

Matthew Bentley is following in his father’s footsteps — physically and metaphorically. His father John Bentley II formally served as the Lakewood-Busti Chief, and Matthew’s grandfather, John Bentley, also served as the Chautauqua County Sheriff, and Matthew’s uncle Dave also served with the Sheriff’s Department.

“And I am sure Matthew will also have a lasting impact on the department like his father did,” Barnes added.

Matthew Bentley is a graduate of Mercyhurst University, and earned a bachelor’s in criminal justice with a concentration in law enforcement. He also graduated from Mercyhurst, and earned a master’s in police administration. Matthew is also a graduate of Southwestern Central School.

After he earned his master’s, he entered the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Academy located on the Campus of Jamestown Community College.

According to sunyjcc.edu, since 1978, the sheriff’s academy has offered a unique program in partnership with JCC for those interested in careers as police officers. The training program provides successful graduates with up to 45 college credits and a certificate of completion from the New York State Certified Basic Police Training Course, which is a legal requirement for municipal police officers in New York State.

From June 18 to Labor Day, 2008 Matthew Bentley received his field training at JPD. He went on to become a JPD patrolman for nine years, and then a supervisor for the last eight years before being appointed to his new role.

Lakewood Mayor Randy Holcomb said when DePonceau retired on March 7, there was a big absence in LBPD, and there were not a lot of candidates who were interested in the position.

Holcomb realized after the interviews that he knew Matthew Bentley was a good fit.

“At the end of the day, honestly, I think the best thing is we found the perfect candidate right under our nose. He’s as good as they get,” Holcomb said about the chief. “And he is very well respected.”

Now that Matthew Bentley is chief he will admit that he does miss some of the action.

“I always make sure I’m out there (ready for a call),” Matthew Bentley said. “And nothing makes me happier than being able to go to calls and help everybody out, or maybe be the only person at the call.”