Updated 11:30 a.m.
A Lower Bucks Source Exclusive
Bristol Township Chief of Police Robert Coulton “put in” his “paperwork” and will officially retire as of June 30, with Lt. C.J. Winik to be named the new Chief of Police at the July council meeting, multiple sources confirmed late Friday to Lower Bucks Source.
Coulton came to Bristol Township, hired as the township’s first and only public safety director in 2015. He was named Chief of Police in May 2017. Prior to that he served as Ewing Township’s Chief of Police, retiring in 2013, after serving 30 years on the force across the river.
Coulton’s hiring follows a challenging period for the department, marked by budget cuts, furloughs, and leadership changes. Former Chief James McAndrews retired due to health reasons in 2013, and current Langhorne Chief of Police John Godzieba served as acting chief for a little more than six months, and was replaced by Lt. Ralph Johnson on an interim basis in 2015, followed by Coulton’s appointment about two years later.
Coulton was expected to retire at the end of 2025, township sources said last week.
Prior to Johnson’s passing, Winik and Sean Cosgrove were promoted to Lt with Officer Mancuso elevated to Sgt putting in place the command staff to lead the department for years to come.
Credit: Bristol Twp
During Coulton’s time as chief there were obvious and noticeable changes. Among them, the relationship with township administration had improved dramatically for the better. This is since Randee Mazur took the job as its lead administrator after Bill McCauley, not a favorite of the police department, retired at the end of 2019. Like past township chiefs, Coulton preferred to let his command staff be the public face of the department. This was also true at Council meetings, where some ceremonial duties of the police chief were handled by command staff.
As to why Coulton chose to retire now, it is unclear, but there is plenty of speculation, none of which the sources Lower Bucks Source spoke with would or could confirm.
Bristol Township Council President Craig Bowen, referred Lower Bucks Source to Mazur. Mazur was unavailable for comment late Friday evening as the weekend officially started.
As for Winik, who was on duty Saturday issuing follow up press release info on a missing teen, he’s been with the department for just over 19 years. He progressed through the ranks, earning a promotion to to Sgt. of Administration in 2019 and then advanced to Lt. of Administration and Criminal Investigations about three years ago. In early 2024, Winik graduated from the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command. The 10 -week long intensive public safety leadership and management program helps prepare experienced law enforcement professionals for success in senior command and beyond, officials said at the time.
Winik did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday.
Editor’s Note: Although none of the sources specifically said it, it is surmised that between July 1 and the next township council meeting, Winik would serve in the role as interim Chief of Police until his official appointment by Council.
Credit: Bristol Township
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