New Full-Time Police Officer Hired In Yardley

YARDLEY BOROUGH, PA —He was the last candidate standing.

Jake P. Kulchinsky has been hired as a full-time officer for the Yardley Borough Police Department, having served as a part-time officer since March 2020.

Kulchinsky was the last officer in the police department's candidate pool of four candidates who were certified last August with one filling a vacancy and two others being hired by other Bucks County police departments.

At the Borough Council's Jan. 2 meeting, Police Chief Joseph Kelly III discussed how police departments nationwide have struggled for more than three years with recruiting and retaining police officers and that it's been a challenge to fill vacancies and provide seamless service.

"Through careful analysis, it was determined that adding a full-time officer would reduce training costs, reduce dependency on part-time police personnel, and ensure that the Yardley Borough Police Department is in a position to provide the highest level of service to the public for 2024," Kelly said.

Kulchinsky's hiring was approved unanimously by Borough Council at the Jan. 2 reorganization meeting.

Kelly said the hiring also was made with no increases to borough taxes in 2024.

"I am excited that we are able to extend this offer," Council President Caroline Thompson said. "We found money in our very tight budget."

Kulchinsky is the recipient of two Department Unit Commendations and a Memorandum of Commendation, Kelly said. Kulchinsky holds a bachelor’s degree and police academy certification from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

(Photo Courtesy of the Yardley Borough Police Department)