New Hope Police Chief Retiring After 47-Year Career

The new year is bringing changes to the New Hope Police Department.

Police Chief Michael Cummings is retiring after proudly serving the borough for 15 years. He announced his plans to retire back in August 2023.

The chief’s resignation will be effective this month.

Cummings early announcement gave the borough a six-month head start to find his replacement. 

Cummings received a standing ovation from a crowd of borough residents when Mayor Larry Keller announced the chief would be retiring.

Cummings served for 47 years in law enforcement within Bucks County.

In 1977, he joined the Doylestown Borough Police Department and progressed through various ranks including patrol officer, K-9 handler, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, and ultimately lieutenant.

In 2009, he was hired to the position of police chief in New Hope Borough.

A retirement party for the chief was held last month. He received commendations from elected officials.

The borough is using Safe City Solutions to find Cumming’s successor.

It is the same public safety advisory firm which helped bring Cummings to the borough, according to a New Hope Free Press article.

One provision for the borough in the deal with Safe City Solutions is that the firm help the borough find another replacement if the newly hired chief leaves within six months of being hired with no additional charge.

No official announcement has been made yet on who will be New Hope Borough’s new police chief.

Recently, council approved a proposal to make improvements to the New Hope Borough Police Department. They include new office equipment and furniture for the department, according to Borough Manager Peter Gray.