Newtown Borough Council Tuesday evening.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
A longtime police chief from Upper Bucks County is the Newtown Borough Council’s pick to lead the department.
Tinicum Township Chief of Police Jim Sabath was chosen by the Council Tuesday evening after a series of interviews and consideration among officials.
The borough and Sabath still have to negotiate a contract before he officially is named the next chief of the department.
Sabath has worked at Tinicum police for his entire law enforcement career and has been chief since the mid-1990s. He has led the department through major crimes, large events and is considered a “working chief” who handles a multitude of duties in the township of roughly 4,000 people spread out over 31 square miles.
“There no job too small for me,” he told the Council.
Sabath beat out Robert McLeod, a corporal in Buckingham Township, for the chief position.
McLeod was interviewed publicly Tuesday evening along with Sabath.
Sabath told the Council he would take a community-centered approach to policing and focus on pedestrian safety. He added he would conduct traffic studies and review current crossings.
The Upper Bucks County chief said he is fond of Newtown Borough and the older homes, adding he looks forward to be able to walk the streets and meet residents and shop owners.
Sabath will replace longtime Chief Anthony Wojciechowski when he retires in 2018.
