Thursday, January 21, 2021

Butler Township Chief of Police Announces Intent to Seek Candidacy for Magisterial District Judge

On Thursday, Butler Township Police Chief Edward Tarantelli announced his candidacy to seek the Republican and Democratic nomination for Magisterial District Judge for District Court 21-2-01 in the upcoming 2021 primary election.
Tarantelli has served as a police officer with the Butler Township Police Department since 1997, with 19 of those years serving as the Chief of Police. 

He was also the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Instructor within the North Schuylkill School District and former Immaculate Heart and Holy Family Catholic Elementary Schools for 10 years.

With more than two decades of law enforcement experience, Tarantelli says he has first-hand experience investigating a wide variety of complaints and crimes ranging from property crimes to homicides and civil disputes. 

Tarantelli says he has been recognized and testified as an Expert Witness in Narcotic Investigations in the Common Pleas Court of Schuylkill County and has worked in conjunction with fellow law enforcement agencies including the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) , Secret Service, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Federal Postal Inspectors and the United States Marshals. 

During the course of his career, he has also served other local municipalities as a part time police officer to include Ashland, Frackville, Mahanoy City and Orwigsburg. 

He has been endorsed and is a member of the North Schuylkill Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #25 and the Schuylkill County Chief of Police Association.

"I believe law enforcement and courtroom experience are important now more than ever. I would love to extend my knowledge of the law to the greater community through the role of Magisterial District Judge. If elected, I will uphold and promote independence, integrity, and impartiality while performing my duties competently and diligently. I believe experience matters." said Tarantelli.

Tarantelli is a lifelong resident of Butler Township and has been involved in numerous youth and civic organizations for over 20 years. He is currently an Assistant Varsity Wrestling Coach for North Schuylkill High School and has coached youth sports within the Ashland Little League, North Schuylkill Elementary Wrestling Program and CYO Basketball. He has served as Vice President of the Spartan Football Boosters for many years. He is also a member of the Ashland Elks, Knights of Columbus, and St Charles Borromeo finance council.

Tarantelli graduated from North Schuylkill High School, Delaware Valley College with a B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration and Lackawanna College Act 120 Program.

Ed is married to his wife Anne and they have three children, Michael (wife Evette), Maura, and Dane and a granddaughter, Aria.