New Hope Police Chief Sworn In; Joins Department From Solebury

NEW HOPE BOROUGH, PA — A large contingent of police officers turned out Tuesday night at the monthly borough council meeting to see Kevin Edwards ceremoniously sworn in as the borough’s new police chief.

Edwards has been on the job since May 6, taking over for retiring chief Michael Cummings. He was officially sworn in by Mayor Larry Keller in early May.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Edwards placed his hand on a Bible held by family members and pledged to support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the laws and ordinances of New Hope Borough.

As he concluded the oath, Chief Edwards was greeted by a standing ovation from the borough council, administrative team and from a packed house of residents and visitors

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your police chief," Edwards told the mayor, borough council and residents. "I’m looking forward to working with all the officers who I have come to know and working to keep the residents and visitors to New Hope safe."

Councilwoman Michele Becci welcomes the new chief on Tuesday as council president Ken Maisel looks on. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Chief Kevin Edwards addresses borough council on Tuesday. (photo by Jeff Werner)

In April, the council voted unanimously to hire Edwards to replace retiring Chief Michael Cummings as the town’s chief law enforcement officer.

Edwards was selected after what council president Ken Maisel called a “significantly exhaustive search process” conducted by SafeCity Solutions, a public safety consulting firm retained by the borough last fall to help with the recruitment of a new chief of police.

“We all feel confident in our selection and we’re thrilled to have Sgt. Edwards as our chief of police,” said Maisel. “We’re glad to have him on board.”

Edwards comes to New Hope Borough from neighboring Solebury Township where he was second in command to Police Chief Dominick Bellizzie.

A Pennsbury graduate, Edwards holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Columbia Southern University. He began his law enforcement career as a police officer in Tullytown Borough in 1990.

For the past 30 years, Sgt. Edwards has been a member of the Solebury Township Police Department where he moved up through the ranks to sergeant and second in command.

Edwards is married with two sons. In his free time, he enjoys walks with his wife and watching sports.

New Hope Borough Police Chief Kevin Edwards discusses logistics with a member of the fire police and a MIRT officer during Saturday's Pride Parade. (photo by Jeff Werner)