Off-duty Cop Under Review After Displaying Gun During Golf Course Dispute in Upstate New York

A confrontation at Glen Oak Golf Course in Amherst on June 5th took an unusual turn when an off-duty Cheektowaga police officer reportedly displayed a handgun during a dispute with fellow golfers.

The incident, which followed an argument stemming from an errant tee shot, is now under internal investigation by the Cheektowaga Police Department.

According to authorities from both Amherst and Cheektowaga, the officer involved revealed his holstered firearm after an argument broke out with a group ahead of him on the course.

“Right now, there is an ongoing departmental investigation to determine exactly what happened and whether the officer conducted himself properly,” said Capt. Jeffrey Schmidt, a Cheektowaga Police spokesperson. “At this point, it does not appear that he pointed his gun at anyone.”

Amherst Police officers responded to the course after receiving a report of a verbal dispute in which one man allegedly displayed a firearm and claimed to be a police officer. The responding officers instructed the individual to put his hands on his head and conducted a weapons check.

He disclosed that he was armed and carrying the weapon in a holster. Officers later confirmed that the individual was a 25-year-old off-duty Cheektowaga officer.

The officer recounted that his ball landed close to a group playing ahead on the seventh green, prompting two of those golfers to confront him. He said that one of the men began waving a golf club and threatened him.

In response, the officer removed his gun from his golf bag, identified himself as law enforcement, and said he did not point the weapon at anyone.

According to the officer, one of the individuals from the forward group shouted, “He’s got a gun!” at which point the group stepped back.

Statements taken from the four men in the forward group indicated that one of them was nearly hit by the officer’s tee shot.

One golfer mentioned that the officer displayed his badge during the dispute. No physical altercations or injuries occurred.

Another man claimed the officer said, “You’re going to have trouble with the police,” during the incident.

No charges have been filed in the matter, although a Cheektowaga Police sergeant arrived at the scene to collect the officer’s firearm.

Schmidt noted that while the officer may not have committed any departmental violations related to threatening others with the firearm, questions remain about whether the situation was handled appropriately.

“Probably the biggest issue is, ‘Did he handle this the right way? Should he have just walked away from the situation?’ Our investigation is continuing,” he said.

When asked whether it is standard for off-duty officers to carry firearms while golfing, Schmidt responded, “Officers are authorized to carry their guns any time they are off-duty.”

Off-duty Cop Under Review After Displaying Gun During Golf Course Dispute in Upstate New York