Bristol Mayor, Council Clash Over Termination Of ‘Whistleblower’ Officer

A long-simmering dispute over the employment of a veteran police officer and the scope of a mayor’s authority burst into public view Monday evening in Bristol Borough.

At the public meeting, Bristol Borough Council voted to terminate Officer Ritchie Webb from his employment.

The decision came after weeks of social media speculation and a tense public meeting with heated exchanges between Mayor Frank Peranteau and Patrick Harvey, a labor attorney hired by the borough in March.

Harvey, outlining the charges against Webb, alleged the officer caused approximately $5,000 in damage to a police cruiser while operating it outside borough during a shift. He stated Webb failed to provide a “credible reason” for the vehicle being in a remote location.

The borough further accused Webb of failing to cooperate with disciplinary investigations and medical exams while on disability leave.

According to Harvey, Webb sent threatening messages to police Chief Joe Moors, including one that stated, “Your days of wearing white may very well be coming to an end.”

Webb has been on medical leave since April 2025 after responding to a fatal Amtrak train strike that killed a father and his two sons, according to sources familiar with the situation.

The sources noted Webb has remained on the borough payroll during his leave.

Peranteau, a retired borough police chief and district judge who was elected mayor last November, strongly opposed the firing and characterized Webb as a “whistleblower.”

The mayor stated Webb had reported serious internal misconduct, including sexual assault by department members, evidence manipulation, and workers’ compensation fraud.

“Officer Webb is not a simple problem employee,” Peranteau said, warning that the termination could trigger an expensive federal lawsuit. “Under Pennsylvania law and federal law, an officer who reports misconduct in good faith is entitled to robust legal protections against retaliation.”

The mayor asserted that Webb suffers from PTSD related to his service.

“Officer Webb deserves the benefit of the doubt,” Peranteau said. “He was a good officer. I hired him.”

Harvey dismissed the retaliation claims, stating the termination had “absolutely, positively nothing to do with retaliation.”

During the meeting, Harvey questioned whether the mayor was representing the borough or the officer.

“I represent the people of Bristol,” Peranteau rebutted. “I was elected by the majority of people. OK?”

Court records show Peranteau filed a lawsuit in the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas against the council last month. He alleges municipal officials are attempting to strip him of his authority under the borough code.

“You directed them and told them that they have the authority to override my authority,” Peranteau told Harvey at the meeting.

Sources said Webb’s allegations of improper activity within the borough were relayed to the Bucks County Detectives, which is overseen by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.

While Peranteau stated a district attorney’s office investigation is pending, Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe said he was unaware of its status.

The district attorney’s office has not filed charges and did not comment on any investigations related to the borough.

Webb declined comment on the termination at this time.

During a back and forth at the meeting, Harvey accused the mayor of interfering in a parking ticket matter involving Webb.

Peranteau denied any wrongdoing, stating he contacted the borough’s district court to request more time for Webb to resolve an issue. It was an action, Peranteau claimed, council members have undertaken in the past.

Peranteau said he has not been contacted by the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania regarding the matter after Harvey suggested there was an investigation.

Joanne Cipressi, who settled a lawsuit with the borough in 2013 after a reported sexual assault on her by an officer, spoke in support of Webb before council voted to fire him.

The former borough resident told council Webb was retaliated against at the time for speaking out about the incident, which led to a criminal case and expensive legal settlements.

“Officer Webb has repeatedly demonstrated that he is willing to do the right thing even when the right thing seems to be difficult. It’s unpopular and risky for his own career,” said Cipressi. “I am here tonight to ask this council to recognize the true character, the true person that Officer Webb actually is.”