Capt. Matthew E. Wilson has been named assistant police chief for the State College Police Department, Chief John Gardner announced on Friday.
Wilson’s appointment is effective Sept. 4.
The assistant chief role was created in 2008 and is appointed at the discretion of the chief. Gardner said that to be eligible for the position, the individual must have been a captain in the State College Police Department for at least three years and performed well in that role. The assistant chief also must be willing to take on additional administrative duties and be able to command the department in the chief’s absence.
The position was previously held by Gardner, who was named chief in 2016 following the retirement of Tom King.
Wilson was promoted to captain in January 2013. A State College native who graduated from State College Area High School and Penn State, he began his career with the department in 1996. He was promoted to sergeant in 2004 and lieutenant in 2006.
‘Captain Wilson has willingly and enthusiastically assumed more administrative responsibilities and, in doing so, has performed at an extremely high level,’ Gardner said. ‘Based on his years of experience and his willingness to assume greater responsibility, Captain Wilson has earned this assignment in the State College Police Department.’
