Former New Hope Cop Sworn In As Head County Ranger

Bucks County has a new chief park ranger.

With nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience under his belt, Patrick Durkin was sworn in Tuesday at the Justice Center in Doylestown Borough.

Durkin fills the job after previous Chief Ranger Steve Mawhinney retired last fall. He held the job in the county since 2017 after decades serving in Lower Bucks County police departments, including as chief of the Langhorne Borough Police Department.

Durkin will oversee the Bucks County Rangers, a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over county property and parks, and its large area of jurisdiction.

At the end of 2023, Durkin retired after 26 years as a patrol sergeant for the Upper Makefield Township Police Department.

Durkin started his career in law enforcement with summer positions in Wildwood, New Jersey. He later returned to Bucks County, briefly joining the New Hope Borough Police Department before starting his job with the Upper Makefield Township Police Department in September 1997.

Over the next 26 years, Durkin was a member of the Central Bucks Special Response Team, earned his certification as a firearms instructor, advanced to corporal in 2002, and was promoted to sergeant in 2006. He played a crucial role in the department’s accreditation. He also maintained compliance with the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission standards and re-accreditation efforts.

In November, upon announcing his resignation, the Upper Makefield Township Board of Supervisors acknowledged Durkin’s contributions. They expressed appreciation for his service and extended their best wishes for his future.

The Upper Makefield Township Police Department stated: “Patrick has left his mark on our agency and you have left your mark on him as he will greatly miss serving the wonderful citizens.”