Sowerby to Lead New Penn State Police Criminal Investigation Unit

Penn State University Police Deputy Chief Tom Sowerby has been appointed commander of a new university-wide Criminal Investigation Unit that will serve the 22 campuses where the department provides police services.  

A 33-year veteran of the university police department who spent 10 years as a detective, Sowerby will lead a team that includes an investigative lieutenant, four criminal investigators, and a property/evidence technician, according to a news release.

Only the University Park station previously employed criminal investigators in-house, but since the centralization of police services at the 22 campuses in 2017, they have been assisting with investigations at other campuses.

University Police and Public Safety’s department headquarters at University Park will serve as the new base of operations for the unit. The investigators’ move from the campus police station at Eisenhower Parking Deck to the headquarters at University Support Building I will allow them to work closely with the Behavioral Threat Management Team, Clery Compliance, Police Records, Physical Security and Emergency Management units, according to the department.

‘This initiative has been well-received across the commonwealth,” Penn State Police Chief Joe Milek said. “We were overwhelmed by the outreach from our peers, offering to assist us in many different ways. Building relationships is one of the keys to our success as an investigative unit and a large professional law enforcement organization. We want to work closely with our internal and external partners. The first step is building relationships and simultaneously establishing trust. We can’t do this alone, and we don’t want to.”

Penn State Police Deputy Chief Tom Sowerby. Photo courtesy Penn State

Assistant Vice President for Police and Public Safety Charlie Noffsinger said the increasing complexity and need for specialization in criminal investigations makes the unit an important part of the centralization of police services at the campuses.

‘With this revamped allocation of trained personnel and available technology and equipment, we will better support and assist each of our police stations, and this is the most efficient and effective means of doing that,” he said.

Sowerby has most recently been district commander for University Park since 2017.

“It is no secret that my true passion is criminal investigations,” Sowerby said. “The timing was perfect, and I jumped at the opportunity. I’m able to do the work that I love, continue to work with the people I respect, and build something new that I hope will be part of my legacy. I also have the opportunity to maintain ties with my University Park family and work closely with my replacement, Deputy Chief Stephanie Delaney, during the transition.”

Delaney Named University Park Commander

With Sowerby moving into the new role with the Criminal Investigation Unit, Deputy Chief Stephanie Delaney has been appointed district commander for University Park.

The district commander manages day-to-day operations of the University Park police station and oversees its 58 employees, which include 49 officers.

Delaney first joined the department as a student auxiliary officer 20 years ago. After graduating from Penn State and the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police Academy, she was named a police officer at University Park, later promoted to lieutenant, and last year became deputy chief of staff.

“Deputy Chief Delaney has worked her way through the ranks, joining our department first as a student auxiliary officer, and she has earned this new role because of her proven leadership skills,” Noffsinger said in a release. “I look forward to seeing her flourish in this position and seeing her vision for enhanced community outreach and engagement come to life.”

Delaney completed the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety in 2017.

She is the first female commander of the University Park station.

“Twenty years ago, I was a student at Penn State, serving as a student auxiliary officer while going to class. I am honored to now be deputy chief of police at University Park, and as an alumna, I am committed to a vision of positive interactions with students, complete support of their safety and well-being, and engagement with our community that allows UPPS to continue as a partner on campus and beyond,” Delaney said. “I look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders to best serve Penn State students and employees at University Park.”

Penn State Police Deputy Chief Stephanie Delaney. Photo courtesy Penn State