New police officer sworn in, longtime detective promoted
John Slaughter welcomed as newest officer, Michael Paul promoted to sergeant
TOWAMENCIN >> One new officer has joined the Towamencin Police Department, and another has earned a new rank.
New police officer John Slaughter received his badge before a crowd full of friends and family Wednesday night, and Detective Michael Paul was promoted to sergeant.
“Tonight, two officers will take their oaths: one to begin a career, and one to take on new responsibilities,” said Police Chief Tim Dickinson.
“John, welcome aboard, and Mike, I have every confidence that you will fulfill your new, enhanced responsibilities in an excellent manner,” he said.
According to Dickinson and supervisors’ Chairman Chuck Wilson, the department began testing for a new hire after a resignation earlier this year, and the hire of Slaughter brings the department back up to a total of 23 officers.
Slaughter grew up in Bucks County, graduated from Ne-
shaminy High School in 1996, majored in police administration at Bucks County Community College, and attended and graduated from the Temple University Police Academy in 2012; he has owned
and operated an auto recovery business since 2006, according to Dickinson and Wilson.
Paul joined the Towamencin Police Department in February 1996 after working for departments in Ocean City, N.J., and Warrington Township, and in his time in Towamencin has served as a patrol officer, traffic safety officer,
school resource officer, and detective.
A graduate of Cherry Hill East High School, Paul holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Stockton University and a master’s degree in Homeland Security from St. Joseph’s University, and has attended the Pennsylvania State Police Municipal Police Training
Academy, served as a SWAT operator on the North Penn Tactical Response Team, and on the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force.
Before the two took their oaths before family and friends, the chief asked their friends, family, and fellow officers to reflect on the commitment
each was making to serve the community.
“This is also a time to listen and reflect upon when we took our oaths, and the responsibilities we promised to fulfill. They are not easy promises to keep in a free society. There are those who would do us harm, as unfortunately happened in Delaware earlier today,”
Dickinson said, referring to the shooting death of an officer there.
“I am very proud of this police department, what we achieve, and what you, the police officers, do every day,” Dickinson said.