New Hope Chief Cummings Bids Farewell, Search For Successor Continues

New Hope Borough Police Chief Michael Cummings announced his resignation back in August 2023. On his final days as New Hope’s police chief, Cummings delivered his farewell speech to a packed crowd at a recent council meeting. 

After a 10-minute-long speech, the crowd gave the beloved chief a thunderous standing ovation.

The resignation speech was a career retrospective and included a lot of thank yous, such as one to Mayor Larry Keller and the police officers in attendance to honor their chief. 

“Chief Cummings has provided years of service to the borough. His presence along with his experience and knowledge will be sorely missed by everyone,” Borough Manager Peter Gray said. “We wish him nothing but the best in his retirement. 

Cummings served as police chief for 15 years.

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.

When Cummings’ standing ovation was over, Council President Ken Maisel called him an inspiration and said the borough is working hard on finding a successor. He added that they are looking for a chief as quality-driven as Cumming. 

A search is currently underway for Cummings’ replacement.

New Hope Borough will be using Safe City Solutions to find the Cumming’s replacement. Keller has spoken highly about the public safety firm’s qualifications.

The borough used the firm to find Cummings, who has been active in helping the borough find a vigorous successor for him.

If the next chief doesn’t last more than six months, the firm will help the borough hire another one with no additional charge.

A retirement party was thrown for Cummings last month. Several politicians were in attendance, including State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, who gave the chief a commendation award.