By Jonathan Bergmueller, pennlive.com
The Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner is retiring from his role in January to pursue a career with the FBI, according to the governor’s press office.
Col. Christopher Paris will retire effective Jan. 2 following a 26-year career with state police. It’s unclear what position he accepted with the FBI.
Paris was appointed commissioner by Gov. Josh Shapiro in 2023 after a career that began in eastern Pennsylvania and later focused on training, internal affairs and professional responsibility.
Paris, a graduate of Scranton University, Temple University Beasley School of Law, and a graduate of the FBI National Academy, enlisted in the state police in 1999.
“Colonel Paris has overseen some of the most difficult investigations, cases, manhunts, and events — and his leadership has helped ensure the Pennsylvania State Police remains the finest law enforcement agency in the nation. I am grateful for his service,” Shapiro said in a press release.
As the 10th-largest police agency in the nation, the Pennsylvania State Police serves more than 3.3 million residents across 36,000 square miles. Paris oversaw a budget greater than $1.5 billion and led a workforce of more than 6,500 people — including 4.741 troopers.
Paris’ tenure saw the number of troopers swell. Since January 2023, the agency budgeted for 1,000 new state troopers and more than 550 cadets have graduated and become troopers.
“It has been an honor to lead the dedicated men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police, and I am proud of the work we’ve done together,” Paris said. “Serving the people of Pennsylvania in this capacity has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.”
Lt. Col. George L. Bivens, the deputy commissioner of operations, will become acting commissioner effective Dec. 31.
Bivens’ current role is analogous to Paris’ second-in-command; his appointment will ensure a continuity of leadership, the governor’s office said. Bivens enlisted with state police in 1985 and spent his early career serving the southwestern part of the state.
In 2008, Bivens was prompted to lead the bureau of criminal investigations and in 2011, he became lieutenant colonel. The governor’s office touted his leadership during the 2014 manhunt for cop-killer Eric Frein and the search for escaped convict Danelo Cavalcante in 2023.
He was briefly demoted following the election of Gov. Tom Wolf, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer — commonplace among political appointees — and later regained his rank.
He received a commendation medal for assisting a fellow trooper who was threatened in 1998 by Ku Klux Klan members in Somerset County.
“Lieutenant Colonel Bivens is a seasoned, respected leader with decades of experience who will step in and lead the State Police with steadiness and resolve, ensuring the agency does not miss a beat,” Shapiro said.
