Former Collegeville Police Chief Bart Bucher at his retirement party.
Collegeville Borough Council, administration and the community recently said goodbye to one police chief and welcomed a new one to its ranks.
The borough announced last month that about 100 colleagues and friends from the community, council and administration, as well as from the Collegeville Fire Co., Ursinus College and Collegeville Police, gathered at Collegeville Fire House on June 27 for former Police Chief Bart Bucher’s retirement party.
Bucher officially retired after 24 years on July 1.
Collegeville Borough 
Collegeville Borough State Rep. Joe Webser and Sen. Tracy Pennycuick presented Bucher with citations for his years of service.
According to the borough, the group enjoyed stories from Bucher’s past.
“Chief Bucher, who has been a familiar, reassuring presence in Collegeville for over three decades, will be greatly missed,” stated the borough in a news release.
State Rep. Joe Webster
Collegeville Borough 
Collegeville Borough 
Bucher being presented a citation from State Rep. Joe Webster.
Collegeville Borough 
Collegeville Borough Taking Bucher’s place is Chief John Barnshaw, a Perkiomen Valley High School graduate who was sworn in July 3 by Collegeville Mayor Aidsand Wright-Riggins. Barnshaw has been with the department for 22 years, according to the borough.
He also serves as assistant fire chief with Perkiomen Township Fire Co. and is president of the Perkiomen Township Relief Association.
Per the borough, administration appointed a chief interview committee, comprised of the borough Personnel Committee members Cathy Kernen and Gary Hoffman, Mayor Wright-Riggins, Borough Manager Tamara Twardowski, Ursinus College Public Safety Officer Gabby Wright, former Limerick Township Police Chief Brian Skelton, and Collegeville resident and Disability and LGBTQ+ activist Pastor Marsha Bailey.
New Collegeville Borough Police Chief John Barnshaw.The chief positon was first advertised internally, with intereviews held May 22, 2024. According to the borough, the chief interview committee unanimously recommended Barnshaw as chief. Council then voted unanimously to appoint Barnshaw as chief, effective July 2.
Barnshaw grew up in Perkiomen Township, and has been a staple in the Collegeville community for 22 years, spearheading “Community Connect” meetings at the Perkiomen Valley School District and Holy Cross Regional Catholic School. He also spends time as a Lower Perkiomen Little League coach and Perkiomen Valley Flag Football coach.
During his time with the department, Barnshaw, a member of the Montgomery County Drug Task Force and Valley Forge Area DUI Enforcement Team, has overseen taser instruction for new officers, created exercises to prepare for active shooters and radiological emergencies, and created the department’s social media presence.
A former Cheltenham Township officer, Barnshaw received a bachelor’s in criminal justice and sociology from Widener University in 1999 and his Act 120 certification from the county Municipal Police Academy in 2000.
