At Tuesday’s New Hope Borough Council meeting, Mayor Larry Keller announced Chief of Police Michael Cummings will be retiring after 15 years of proudly serving the borough.
Cummings submitted his resignation letter to the mayor, who read the letter during the beginning of the council meeting.
“I found my employment here a truly rewarding experience,” the chief wrote. “I’ve enjoyed the support of you, Mr. Mayor, and the numerous borough council members I have served under. I have found many friends among the residents, business owners and organizations that make up this wonderful borough.”
Cummings continued, “I will retire with great satisfaction for all that I have accomplished during my tenure with the New Hope Borough Police Department. I will leave many fond memories of my employment here.”
“We are tremendously grateful for Chief Cummings’ 15 years of service to New Hope Borough,” New Hope Council Vice President Laurie McHugh said. “Our Police Department has excelled in its diversity and professionalism under his leadership, as exemplified by the Borough Police earning a full endorsement from the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, a distinction awarded to only 10 percent of the state’s law enforcement agencies.”
Cummings is giving the borough an advanced notice of his resignation, which will be effective February 2024.
“We’d also like to commend the Chief’s generosity in giving us advanced notice of his retirement, allowing the Borough to conduct a thorough and thoughtful search for a successor who can continue to build on Chief Cummings’ many accomplishments,” McHugh said.
Cummings received a thunderous standing ovation from the residents and council members in attendance after his retirement was announced.
When it comes to who Cummings’ successor will be, Keller advised the borough should consider using Bucks County-based SafeCity Solutions, the same advising firm that helped New Hope Borough hire Chief Cummings.
“We should look at SafeCity,” Keller said. “They have done at least 50 chief recommendations alone.”
Before joining the New Hope Police Department in 2009, Chief Cummings served 32 years with the Doylestown Borough Police Department, which has since been merged into the Central Bucks Regional Police Department. Cummings is a graduate of Temple University, majoring in sociology and criminology.
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