Burlett sworn in as new Edgeworth police chief

Edgeworth can welcome a new police chief as John Burlett was sworn into the position at the borough’s Sept. 21 meeting, taking over for his predecessor John English, who retired in early September after serving the community for 27 years.

Burlett has served as a police officer for more than 40 years and has been a member of the borough’s police force since 1988, as a patrol officer, corporal and sergeant.

He said he’s proud to be part of the borough and noted the support he and his fellow officers have received from the residents there.

“After 33 years, I consider Edgeworth to be my community. The people down there are the greatest people in the world,” Burlett said.

As chief, he’s interested in more training for the officers. He would also like to bring more technology support for his officers and the department. This includes getting body cameras for the officers that will help promote transparency and protection for the whole community.

Edgeworth currently has three full-time and six part-time officers, as well as a 24-hour dispatch center.

Burlett also said he’d like to get more involved with the students at the local schools, including Edgeworth Elementary and Sewickley Academy. He’s hoping that soon, pandemic dependent, he and his staff can get into the schools and meet with the students there.

It’s important for the young people here to get to know their local police officers, he said.

Burlett lives in Economy with his wife and spends time with his grandson.

English came to Edgeworth in 2001 after retiring from West Palm Beach Police Force after 27 years. Combined with Edgeworth, the outgoing chief has served almost 50 years in law enforcement.

In addition to the local community, English also served on executive boards of the Western Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, the FBI Academy Associates, and the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, where he was president and later chairman.

He gave guidance to the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association throughout the covid-19 pandemic, and assisted in training and properly equipping police departments across the state, according to an Edgeworth Borough brief on English.

Now, English is looking forward to spending more time with his granddaughter and his wife Bebe, who is vice president of Howard Hanna.

When asked for his recommendations, he said it’s important to keep the community at the forefront.

“Just keep in touch with residents, being mindful of what their needs are and keeping them all safe,” said English.

Edgeworth borough manager John Schwend said it was a pleasure to work with English and wished him “nothing but the best in his retirement.”

He’s also looking forward to the new leader of the police there.

“I’m very pleased to see Sgt. Burlett promoted to the position of police chief. He is respected and trusted by the borough residents, staff and the mayor and council. I’m confident he will do an excellent job leading our Police Department into the future,” Schwend said.