We invite you to learn a little about the people in our community in our new, occasional series “Meet a Neighbor.” In each of these posts, we profile someone who lives or works in Amherst by sharing their responses to our 20-ish questions, both serious and fun. This week: meet Gabriel Ting.

On Monday, August 19, the Town of Amherst hosted a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony to mark Gabriel Ting’s appointment as Chief of the Amherst Police Department.

The Town Room was overflowing with elected officials, first responders, public safety officials from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst College, Town staff, numerous community members, and Chief Ting’s family.

Surrounded by his family, friends, colleagues, and over a dozen members of the Police Department, Chief Ting was sworn in by Town Clerk Sue Audette.

Chief Ting began his official duties as Chief in May 2024 and has served in the Amherst Police Department for over 27 years. He grew up in Amherst, attended Amherst elementary, middle, and high schools, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and worked his way through the ranks of the Amherst Police Department. He and his family now reside in Belchertown.

Chief Ting’s career includes serving as a Patrol Officer in the Amherst Police Department beginning in 1997, and was promoted to Detective in 2004, to Sergeant in 2010, and then to Lieutenant in 2016. He became Captain of Operations in 2019. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a Concentration in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England University.

A certified instructor under the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council, Chief Ting has taught at various police academies. In addition, he has coached youth lacrosse and hockey in Western Massachusetts. He also serves on the Ancestral Bridges Foundation Board of Directors.

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Full Name?

Gabriel Ting

Nickname?

Gabe

Years living or working in Amherst?

I grew up in Amherst since the age of five years old. 27 Years with the Amherst Police Department.

Job/What keeps you busy most days?

My days at work are filled with projects to coordinate, deadlines to meet, meetings with different people and groups, and making sure the day-to-day operations of the police department are always functioning at a high level of service for the community. At home, my time is mainly consumed with my children’s sporting activities or just family time. I have two teenaged kids: my daughter is 18 and my son is 16.

Hobbies?

Mainly family time and I enjoy cooking very much. I enjoy eating a great meal even more! While growing up, I was very involved in sports, particularly lacrosse. I have been involved in coaching youth lacrosse and participating with lacrosse organizations to help grow the sport. I primarily live vicariously through my daughter’s and son’s sports and activities.

Book you’d recommend to a friend?

Anything from John Grisham. His story telling is always exciting, fast paced, and hard to put down!

Last show or movie you streamed?

Survivor series. I binge watch with my wife and daughter and we can’t get enough of it!

Five things you wouldn’t want to live without?

My family, friends, freedom, pizza and cheeseburgers. 

Top of your bucket list?

Traveling with my wife to anywhere. Before our children came along, we traveled together a lot and plan to do that more when we become empty nesters! And, seeing my two children graduate from college and then helping them live out their dreams.

Life-changing experience?

When my daughter, my first child, was born. She was three months premature, weighed 2.6 pounds and spent three months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Baystate. She came home afterwards weighing 5 pounds. That experience, as well as being a new parent, changed my priorities and perspective in life.

First job?

Picking cucumbers for J&J Waskiewicz Farms in North Amherst at age 13 for the summer.  That was grueling work…every job I have had since then has been easy in comparison! 

A hidden talent or little-known fact about you?

I cut my own hair. My mother used to give me hair cuts until I was 14. I wanted some more style so I visited my first barbershop. There was a long line for the main barber and there was an open seat for the other barber in the shop. This barber appeared to be about 90 years old with really thick eye glasses. I figured that despite his age and appearance, he must know what he’s doing, so I took a seat with him. I ended up with missing patches and looking like I was just in a car wreck! I used my mother’s clippers to try to fix it and have been cutting my own hair ever since. During COVID, while barber shops were closed, I provided haircuts for officers who needed them. The cuts were free but they only received one style, which was whatever I gave them!

Dumbest thing you ever did?

Not the dumbest, but pretty embarrassing – As a young patrolman on bicycle patrol, I was riding in the center of town. While passing by a PVTA bus stop that was full of waiting passengers, I tried to hop the curb, which I missed and flipped over. I had to gather myself quickly and pedal away as fast as I could!

One trend you’d like to see return?

$5 footlong subs at Subway and MC Hammer pants.

If you could have dinner with any 3 people, alive or dead, who would you invite?

Tom Brady, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Shaquille O’Neal, and I’ll add a fourth – Taylor Swift, for my wife!

Best advice you ever got?

“Just be yourself.” 

Most used emoji?

Thumbs Up emoji.

Favorite place to get a bite?

The Halal Cart in the center of Amherst.

3 favorite foods?

Pizza, cheeseburgers, and all of the above!

What gives you the creeps?

Clowns

Who do you most admire?

My wife. To me, she’s is a unicorn.  

Are you sunrise, daylight, twilight, or night?

Night

What would you like to be known/remembered for?

Being a good person. 

Which song can you listen to all day long?

I’m a big 80’s fan and anything by George Michael.

What was your favorite game to play as a child?

Lacrosse

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Meet Chief Ting at the Cuppa Joe with Town Manager Paul Bockelman on Friday, September 13, 8:00 – 9:30 am at the Bangs Community Center. Read MORE.