Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse and police Commissioner Thomas Carter swear in new officers at Thursday’s ceremony.
You might say it’s the year of the police officer in Harrisburg.
The 2020 budget will increase pay for many officers, and, on Thursday, 28 officers were sworn in or promoted.
“It is an exciting time to become a Harrisburg police officer,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse. “The city is on the right track and it is a very, very exciting day.”
In a ceremony at Whitaker Center, 10 young officers with a wide range of experience and skill were sworn into the city’s Police Bureau. A few received education at local and state schools including HACC and Penn State University. Others have experience working as emergency medical technicians or serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.
“It’s a very diverse group,” Papenfuse said. “We really are getting the very brightest and the very best.”
Many of the new officers will begin their six-month education at the Police Academy at HACC on Monday. After graduation, they will undergo in-house training and field training with the bureau.
“I’m excited, nervous, but excited,” new officer Jarrod Haar said. “I have been trying to do this for a while.”
Eighteen officers were promoted within the bureau. Two were sworn in as captains, four became lieutenants, six became sergeants and six were promoted to corporals.
With each step up in the bureau, “the burden only gets heavier,” Police Commissioner Thomas Carter said.
Six officers were recognized for their retirement, including a police dog, Officer Beau.
Promotions were announced for the following officers:
- Capt. Dennis Sorensen
- Capt. Terry Wealand
- Lt. Todd Abromitis Sr.
- Lt. James T. Galkowski
- Lt. Thomas McGarrity
- Lt. Russell Winder Jr.
- Sgt. Quinten Kennedy
- Sgt. Robert Minnier
- Sgt. Brian Henry
- Sgt. Marc McNaughton
- Sgt. Robert Minnier
- Sgt. Robert Yost
- Cpl. Antwyn Chatman
- Cpl. Teresa Covey
- Cpl. Derek Fenton
- Cpl. Joseph Marshall
- Cpl. Matthew Nordstrom
- Cpl. Matthew Novchich
The following new police officers were sworn in:
- Joshua C. Cook
- Andrew J. Dick
- Aida Eminagic
- Jarrod Haar
- Jenelle L. Keppley
- Michael D. Klock
- Brendan J. Kovach
- Austin Snyder
- Jeffrey H. Teeter
- Sethton A. Wiest
The following recent retirees were honored for their long service with the Harrisburg Police Bureau:
- Sgt. Delon Henry (20 years of service)
- Cpl. Christopher Delozier (22 years of service)
- Officer Amy Bright (28 years of service)
- Officer Shawn Donofrio (22 years of service)
- Officer Angela Hohman (28 years of service)
- Officer Peter Rivera (27 years of service)
- K9 Officer Beau (6 years of service)
