Bristol Borough unanimously approved a new five-year contract for Bristol Borough Police Chief Joe Moors earlier this month.
Details of the new deal were not released by Borough officials, however, Lower Bucks Source confirmed Moors will continue in his role as a “working chief” for at least the next five years leading the police department.
Moors was officially sworn in as Chief of Police in April of 2022 and within the first year of leading the department his leadership skills were tested with two homicides ending in the successful prosecutions of Tyler Sullivan (for murdering his infant son) and Sammar Khan (for shooting and killing her husband at the Bristol Wharf) that occurred days apart in May of 2023.
While at the helm Moors has made subtle yet strategic moves to improve the department’s relationship with the community and targeted improving traffic safety.
A police presence at borough traffic hot spots – where motorists ignore speed restrictions and/or stop signs – has improved pedestrian safety. This is evidenced by the decline in pedestrians struck and motorsist related fatalities over the last three years on borough streets.
One of the Moors’ newly approved police hires in the early part of this summer submitted more than 125 motorist traffic violations in a week’s time while patrolling the Rt 13 section of the borough, officials have noted.
The hiring of three women to join the department has made a “significant” difference among borough residents especially families with young girls.
The last female police officer the department had was in 2013 before hiring Officer Ashley Beck in 2022. Beck’s role was expanded in the fall of 2022 with the awarding of federal funds to the school district as she took on the role of School Resource Officer at Snyder Girotti Elementary School.
Officer engagement with the community, especially the Borough’s children, was something Moors publicly committed to increasing when he was hired to lead the department.
Strengthening relationships with non-profit organizations such as Bristol Cares Coalition and Lower Bucks Hospital were goals he set also. Both non-profits play an integral role in the yearly National Night Out held in August.
Moors advocated for the Nixle Alert System to be put into place to keep the community informed about police-related activities such as road closures and active investigations.
Bristol Borough Police Department SUV on traffic stop at Burger King at Rt 13 and Beaver St
Credit: Jeff Bohen Lower Bucks Source
Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe and Council have repeatedly expressed their effusive gratitude for the work and responsiveness of the department while Moors has been at the helm.
The relationship between Moors and local media cooled in the summer of 2023 due in large part to unfounded allegations made by a Bristol woman. In recent months, comments from Moors on police related matters have started to appear in local news stories such as this digital news publication.
He did, however, decline to comment on a story Lower Bucks Source reported exclusive involving allegations officers assaulted a man in handcuffs on Memorial Day weekend.
He also declined to comment on working with and under Mayor-Elect Frank W. Peranteau Sr. Their relationship has been icy at best in recent years.
Moors said he’s grateful for the support offered by the borough and the community at large.
“I really want to thank Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III and Council for their unwavering support and the Bristol Borough community,” Moors said, adding that “it is all about teamwork when it comes to keeping the community safe.”
Moors said DiGuiseppe III has also been instrumental in the effort to equip police officers with new firearms and vehicles that are at the cutting edge of modern day policing.
Borough Police Officers will begin wearing body cams and police vehicles to have dash cams installed in the new year
“It has been a total team effort, ” Moors said.
Moors once called the consummate “Street Cop” by former Chief of Police Steve Henry has served Bristol Borough for about 33 years.
Bristol Borough Chief of Police Joe Moors in the Dunk Tank at Community Day in 2022
Credit: Jeff Bohen, Lower Bucks Source
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