Sewickley Heights Police Chief James Harrison, who was under investigation for alleged controversial communications, has resigned.
Council voted 5-0 to accept his resignation at a special meeting the morning of March 27.
Early March 27 worked best for council members’ schedules instead of postponing action another 20-plus days, borough manager Nathan Briggs said.
Councilman Thomas McCargo was absent. Council president John Means participated by phone.
Borough regulations prohibit a council member from voting via phone or counting non-in-person participation toward a quorum, Briggs said.
Members also voted to approve a separation agreement with the former chief.
Harrison has been with the borough department for 22 years and worked his way up from a part-time patrolman to chief in 2017.
In a letter sent to residents early February, borough officials said they received an anonymous letter containing purported copies of what they called “controversial communications” and had been made aware that several residents also received similar anonymous letters.
“The borough is committed to serving the public with professionalism, fairness and transparency,” the borough’s letter read. “This letter is to inform you that the borough has engaged an independent third party to investigate these anonymous allegations.”
Briggs on April 2 declined to confirm if the investigation had concluded. He also did not comment on the chief’s service to Sewickley Heights beyond confirming the number of years he had been employed.
Harrison’s resignation was effective March 20.
TribLive submitted a Right-to-Know request April 2 seeking a copy of the separation agreement with Harrison, as well as information about his final salary and English’s compensation. The request was granted just hours after it was submitted.
The submission was made after a verbal request for the information was refused.
The severance package agreed by both parties is for about $120,400 including about $10,800 for 20 unused vacation days, $1,080 for two unused personal days, $71,500 for 132 accumulated unused sick days, $1,440 in longevity pay, $440 in compensatory time and $35,100 as a one-year equivalent of employer-funded health benefits on the borough’s current health insurance plan.
Harrison’s retirement benefits are preserved with a monthly installment of a little less than $4,000.
Harrison will assist with any police chief transition matters for up to 30 days, as part of the agreement.
The borough will pay $75 per hour for any transition assistance beyond that time.
Both Harrison and the borough agree not to directly or indirectly make any statements, verbally or in writing, including on social media, to third parties that are disparaging or critical.
The language of “Chief Harrison has voluntarily resigned” is also spelled out in the agreement as part of “communication regarding separation and investigation.”
The former chief’s salary this year was listed at about $140,200.
The borough has hired retired Edgeworth Police Chief John English as a police management consultant to handle department administrative duties while the search for Harrison’s replacement is underway.
According to the agreement, English will be paid $300 per hour and be reimbursed for related out-of-pocket expenses such as mileage and the cost of liability insurance premiums.
English will serve as an independent contractor and not a borough employee. The agreement was effective Feb. 18 and is set to expire at the end of this year.
Briggs said English has 46 years of law enforcement experience and is familiar with Sewickley Heights and the surrounding communities.
“It’s easy for him to step in and help our officers in the department during the transition,” Briggs said.
There is no timeline to name a new chief.
Briggs said it was important to address Harrison’s resignation quickly and professionally and get a qualified person to manage the department as soon as possible.
Borough Solicitor Alyssa Golfieri said on April 2 that the borough would not comment on the details or findings of its investigation. Requests for comment from council members via Briggs were not answered as of presstime on April 2.
She said the borough accepted Harrison’s voluntary resignation and will be focusing on the police chief search.
Council approved a new three-year contract with Harrison in October 2024.
His salary at the time was $132,177, according to the contract, which is set to expire at the end of 2027.
The contract does not numerically state annual salary percentage increases.
It does, however, state that borough officials may provide an even greater unspecified salary increase than that percentage at their discretion.
The salary and contract information was obtained after TribLive submitted a Right-to-Know request on Oct. 28, 2024, following an initial refusal by borough officials to release the terms.
The police department has four full-time and two part-time officers.
Council’s regular meetings are the third Monday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at the borough building.