A 15-year veteran of the Patton Township Police Department is set to become the township’s new police chief.
Sgt. Tyler Jolley will lead the department as chief of police, assuming duties on Sept. 5, township manager Douglas Erickson announced. A formal swearing-in will be scheduled for a later date.
Jolley succeeds John Petrick in the role. Petrick stepped down in April after 16 years as chief and 22 with the department to take a position with Penn State Police and Public Safety.
Promoted to sergeant in 2012, Jolley has been with Patton Township Police since 2002. Jolley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Edinboro University.
Erickson said 27 applications were received for the position and five were selected for a two-day assessment and interview process. An interview panel involved community members, including representatives from State College Area School District and the Patton Township business community.
Jolley is the third new leader named in the past year for the Centre Region’s three police departments.
John Gardner succeeded Tom King as State College police chief in Aug. 2016 after King retired following 23 years in the position and moving to a new role as assistant borough manager.
In June, Chris Albright was named Ferguson Township police chief, succeeding Diane Conrad, who retired after 13 years in the role.
