Bradford City Council accepted the resignation of Hiel Bartlett for the purposes of retirement at Tuesday’s meeting, but Mayor James McDonald announced he was not yet naming a new chief.
He addressed the meeting, reading from a prepared statement regarding the internal investigation of Bartlett and Officer Matt Gustin from alleged misconduct during a May arrest.
“We realize that it has been a very long process, and the community has been very patient with us, and I wanted to thank you for that,” McDonald said. “I’m confident in telling you that throughout the course of these personnel matters, the city has acted with dignity and integrity following the advice of multiple professionals who have the best interest of the city and its taxpayers in mind.”
He lauded Assistant Chief Mike Ward for his work as acting chief for the past few months, and said he will continue in that capacity “until a successor is chosen.”
The mayor went on to describe how he planned to handle the selection process for a new chief, saying the process will “include speaking to area law enforcement leaders, including the chiefs of neighboring municipalities, DA Stephanie Vettenberg-Shaffer, as well as the many other agencies that the police department interacts with on a nearly daily basis regarding the candidate.”
McDonald said he will ask questions about “the candidate’s character, work ethic, dedication to law and order, and their dedication to the community. In addition, a review of personnel files for anything that could be a cause of concern or to the contrary, a cause to look closer at the candidate for exemplary service of some sort.”
He added, “The appointment of a new police chief is a chance for the City of Bradford Police Department to rebuild the trust and relationships with the residents of this city and to truly serve and protect those that call the City of Bradford home. It is a decision that I will not take lightly.”
Bartlett and Gustin had been on leave from the department since the May 5 arrest of Matthew Confer on Delaware Avenue in the city. A bystander recorded part of the arrest, put it on social media, and members of the public reached out to city officials, concerned over the conduct of the officers in the arrest.
Gustin’s status has not changed; he remains on paid administrative leave.
While Bartlett had come under fire several times in his career, he also was part of several positive initiatives.
Bartlett had been with the city police for 20 years. During that time, he had held offices in the police union; received commendations for his actions in a car accident, a fire and a domestic incident; was the founder of the Criminal Justice Club at Bradford Area High School; and served to plan Police Officers’ Memorial Day.
