Bristol Twp. Hires Five New Police Officers

Bristol Township Council Thursday evening approved the hiring of five new police officers.

With the new hires – John Jennings, Elaine Diaz, Timothy Kinkade, Charles Pritchett and Ashley Stone – the police department is up to its authorized strength of 61.

“This council vowed to rebuild a better police department in a sensible, cost-effective manner and we are thrilled to have our police department back to full strength,” Council President Craig Bowen said in a statement.

Officers Jennings, Pritchett and Stone will begin field training very soon. Officers Diaz and Kinkade have begun the Philadelphia Police Academy and will begin field training early next year.

Public Safety Director Robert Coulton, who is expected to fill the vacant chief of police position, said he is pleased with the new hires.

The five new officers were picked from a list of 107 candidates who passed the Bucks County Consortium Test for police officers.

Background from the police department on the new hires:

Officer Jennings was born and raised in Abington Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Abington High School in Abington Pennsylvania. Jennings enlisted in the Army and reported to Fort Benning, Georgia Army Base for basic training. He assumed the role of infantry squad leader and was deployed to Afghanistan. Jennings has experience working as a security officer.

Officer Diaz was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and has resided in Perth Amboy, Woodbridge, and Keasby, New Jersey while growing up. Diaz enlisted in the Army Reserves in 2008 and was deployed to Afghanistan. Diaz is pursuing a degree online. Diaz has over 3 years experience as a security officer as well as a corrections officer in the City of Philadelphia.

Officer Kinkade was raised by his parents in Levittown, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Pennsbury High School in June 2007. Kinkade attended West Chester University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. Kinkade enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2009 and was deployed to Afghanistan. Kindade has experience working as a sales representative and range safety officer for Classic Pistol.

Officer Ashley Stone was raised by her parents in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Stone attended West Chester University and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Criminal Justice. Stone attended Delaware County Police Academy located in Media, Pennsylvania. Stone has experience working as a security officer for high school and college campuses.

Officer Pritchett was raised by his parents in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Pritchett is a graduate of Shippensburg University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. Pritchett has experience as an account manager for CMS logistics.

In May, the township submitted paperwork for a federal grant that could providing funding to add an additional three officers to the force.