Franklin to fill gap after cop charged

FRANKLIN — Franklin Borough Police have been looking for a new officer to join the force after the arrest of one of their own.

Officers with the New York Police Department arrested former Franklin officer William Ryan Churchwell after a motor vehicle stop at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, March 1 in Brooklyn’s 71st Precinct.

Churchwell, who is in his early thirties, was charged with driving while intoxicated and refusing to submit to a sobriety test, according to court records accessed in June. In New York, failure to submit to a sobriety test can lead to suspension of the driver’s license of the accused.

At the time of his arrest, Churchwell was drawing a base salary of $88,000, according to public payroll data. He had been paying into the state’s Police and Firemen’s Retirement System since 2004, according to documents.

Churchwell has yet to be sentenced and Franklin officials declined to say what, if any, disciplinary penalties were taken against him.

However, Town Attorney John Ursin confirmed that as of April 18 Churchwell was no longer an officer in Franklin.

“He is no longer a police officer in Franklin Borough,” Ursin said.

Around the same time Churchwell’s status as an officer ended, Franklin advertised an opening for a police officer on the website of the New Jersey Policemen’s Benevolent Association, the state's police union.

“Individual must have valid P.T. Certification (or will obtain in the near future); Veterans preferred; residency in proximity to Franklin; U.S. Citizen; at least 21 years old; Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s and 2 years active duty Military experience. Additional testing as required,” according to the website.

Citing confidentiality in personnel matters, Ursin declined comment on how actions like Churchwell’s might affect the process for vetting new hires.

Churchwell also faces a lesser charge of DWAI, driving with ability impaired, a traffic violation.

His next hearing in Brooklyn is set for June 18 in Kings County Criminal Court.