The hunt is on for Bristol Borough’s next police chief.
The borough has begun advertising to fill the position left vacant last week when Chief Steve Henry retired.
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The borough is seeking applicants who are certified police officers with a minimum of 10 years experience in local law enforcement with at least five years of supervisory or management duties under their belt. Officials are seeking someone who preferably has a bachelor’s degree, according to the job posting.
Unlike when the borough hired Henry in 2016, Bristol Borough did not retain an outside firm to guide their decision this time around. The town will use local officials to review applicants and council will ultimately make the final decision.
Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe said he polled the governing body and seven of the members and himself were for the search process being done in-house. Councilperson Tony Devine, who resigned last week, was for hiring an outside firm.
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“We’ll make sure we get the right person to represent Bristol,” DiGuiseppe said.
The diverse 1.9-square-mile borough of about 10,000 people is policed by 12 officers. The force is mostly full-time officers, but the borough does supplement its ranks with part-time officers.
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Borough Manager Jim Dillon, solicitor William Salerno, and the borough’s labor attorney will be among the team who will review applicants.
DiGuiseppe said the borough will look inside the department and also outside.
“We want to make sure everyone has a fair chance at this job,” he said.
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Sgt. Joe Moors, the borough’s most senior officer, is serving as the officer in charge while the chief’s position is vacant. Moors has served in place of the chief before during absences.
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