Wolf Plans To 'Soon' Unveil New Choice To Head State Police
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf is preparing to name his pick to lead the Pennsylvania State Police, a decision sure to be closely scrutinized after his initial choice became the first such nominee to be voted down in recent memory.
Wolf spokesman Mark Nicastre said last week the first-term Democrat would make a decision "soon."
"The governor sought recommendations from a diverse group of people and organizations, and talked with several strong candidates," Nicastre said in an email. "He is looking for an individual with significant experience in law enforcement who will build on the traditions and culture of the Pennsylvania State Police while looking for ways to improve inclusion."
In the meantime, Marcus Brown, a former Maryland State Police superintendent and the onetime No. 2 officer in the Baltimore Police Department, remains on the job in the role of acting commissioner. Through a subordinate, Brown declined a request for an interview.
Wolf was clearly unhappy with the Senate's rejection of Brown in early June, when 26 Republicans voted no and just three joined all 19 Democrats in support of him.
Brown's problems began soon after Wolf chose him, as critics questioned his decision to wear the police uniform despite having not gone through the State Police Academy.
Brown also drew fire for liberal positions on law enforcement and because he became the target of an investigation after being filmed removing signs along a road near his home in suburban Harrisburg, signs that referenced the uniform controversy.
The troopers' union opposed his nomination, which raised doubts among senators about how effective Brown could be as a leader. A spokesman for the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association declined to weigh in this week on the search for a nominee to succeed Brown.
During the June confirmation debate, Democrats suggested GOP opponents were worried Brown would make good on stated intentions to improve the agency's diversity, an issue that has plagued it for many years.
"Have we really sunk that low? Really?" Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Northampton, said during the confirmation debate. "Are we really going to carry the water for that agency's good-old-boy network who somehow, for some reason, think that they have the right to pick their own boss?"
"Ensuring diversity" should be a goal of the next commissioner, said Jenn Kocher, spokeswoman for the Senate Republican majority.
"We are hopeful that the governor will choose a consensus candidate that would advance the governor's stated goals of ensuring diversity, have the support of the Senate while at the same time having the confidence of the men and women patrolling the thousands of miles of Pennsylvania highways," Kocher said.
The agency, with a billion-dollar budget, currently has about 4,700 sworn employees, along with about 1,850 civilian workers. It was founded 110 years ago as the first uniformed police agency of its kind in the country.
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