On Wednesday, July 3rd, Mayor Aidsand Wright-Riggins had the honor of swearing in John Barnshaw as the new Chief of Police for Collegeville Borough. Chief Barnshaw has been an officer with the Borough for 22 years, before taking his new role. When you see Chief Barnshaw around town, please say hi and join us in congratulating him on his promotion.
Chief Bart Bucher, who has been a constant presence around our Borough and in Council meetings for the last 24 years, retired on Monday, July 1. To select a new chief, in April the Borough appointed a “Chief Interview Committee.” Members included the Borough’s Personnel Committee, Cathy Kernen and Gary Hoffmann; Mayor Aidsand Wright-Riggins, who oversees our Police Department; and Borough Manager Tamara Twardowski. The Committee also included three members from the community: Ursinus College Public Safety Officer Gabby Wright; Limerick Township’s former Police Chief Brian Skelton; and Collegeville resident and Disability and LGBTQ+ Activist Pastor Marsha Bailey.
Because a number of officers serving on our police force had considerable experience, the committee made the decision to first advertise the position internally. Interviews were held on May 22. The Committee unanimously recommended Officer Barnshaw as our next Chief, followed by the Council, which voted unanimously to appoint Officer Barnshaw as Chief at their June Council meeting effective July 2.
Chief Barnshaw grew up in Perkiomen Township and graduated from Perkiomen Valley High School. He has been a dedicated member of our Collegeville Borough Police Force for 22 years. Many residents already know him for his work in the community, including through the “Community Connect” meetings at the Perkiomen Valley School District, and his work at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School. He has also conducted safety talks in local schools and community organizations, and has served as a Lower Perkiomen Little League Coach and Perkiomen Valley Flag Football Coach.
During his tenure with the Borough’s Police force, Chief Barnshaw has supervised Collegeville’s new officers in their in-service training, and since 2008 he has acted as the department’s taser instructor. Chief Barnshaw has engaged in exercises to prepare for active shooters and for radiological emergencies. He also created the department’s social media presence https://www.facebook.com/CollegevilleBoroPolice/ Additionally, Chief Barnshaw has been assigned to the Special Unit of the Montgomery County Drug Task Force and the Valley Forge Area DUI Enforcement Team.
In addition to his police duties, Chief Barnshaw has been active in the Perkiomen Township Fire Company. He is currently Assistant Fire Chief, where his duties include overseeing their response team of over 50 members and all the fire apparatus to ensure that safety measures are followed. He currently serves as President of the Perkiomen Township Relief Association.
Chief Barnshaw is the recipient of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Award for Heroism for his professional actions and bravery involving an armed suspect in 2021. He earned a BA in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Widener University in 1999 and he received his Act 120 Certification from the Montco Municipal Police Academy in 2000. Officer Barnshaw has also has completed leadership training through the rigorous FBI-LEEDA Trilogy program.
Before working in Collegeville, Chief Barnshaw was an officer with the Cheltenham Township Police Department.
