Two newly hired Bristol Borough Police Officers were introduced to council and the public at Monday nights council meeting and one officer has been promoted to senior leadership position

Devon Gonzalez and Matthew Sozio began their official police careers last night as each was introduced at last nights monthly meeting.

Ashley Beck, the third hire was unable to attend the introductory meeting due to a death in her family officials said.

Council approved the hiring  three new part time officers last month. 

Recently the department’s part time ranks were been “decimated”due to hiring by other municipalities for full time police positions.

The hiring process which began in November was “lengthy” said Officer in Charge Sgt Joe Moors.

Gonzalez is a native Bristolian who graduated from Bristol High School going on to Indiana University of Pennsylvania majoring in criminology and then studies abroad in Chile. He also attended a leadership program.  in Bowling Green Ohio, and after that enrolled at the Indiana University of PA  Police Academy where he received his ACT 120 Police Certificate to become a police officer in Pennsylvania. He is in the process of completing his officer in training program for the department, officials said.

“Its an honor to work in my hometown and I hope I never let anyone down and do a good job” said Gonzalez.

Sozio is Bucks County resident who graduated from Penn State University earning a Bachelors Degree in Administration of Justice and minored in sociology. After earning his degree, Sozio completed Temple University’s Police Academy, where he received his ACT 120 certification and is now in the process of completing training provided by BBPD.

I’m excited to be here and excited to start my career as a police officer here” he said.

Moors said we’re looking forward to having both officers work for the department and in the community,

In a moment of levity, council president Ralph DiGuiseppe said “now you guys have to go to work.”

Ashley Beck, the third hire was unable to attend the introductory meeting due to a death in her family officials said.

In an unrelated police departmental matter, Officer Charles “Chucky” Palmer was provisionally promoted to “acting” Sargeant of the department, as per the contract the police union has with the borough.

Palmer was chosen based upon his seniority in the borough police department, said Mayor Joseph Saxton.

The Mayor said due to Moors’ current Officer in Charge Role for the department, and that role lasting beyond 90 days as per the union contract agreement, and not having another Sgt in the department, Palmer will be promoted to the Sgt’s position until a new Chief of Police is hired, officials said.

If Moors, who has applied for the chief’s position,  Palmer will switch from the “acting” Sgt’s role to an officially becoming Sargeant for the department, said borough officials.

Congratulations to Sgt Palmer.