Penn Township Police Department swears in new sergeant

Penn Township native Robert Broome has been an officer with the Penn Township Police Department for nearly nine years, but June 15 marked the start of his first year as sergeant.

Surrounded by family, friends and fellow officers, Broome was sworn in by District Justice Rebecca Tyburski at the township commissioners’ business meeting.

Broome, a 2005 Penn-Trafford graduate, said he decided to test for the position because of his experiences being mentored and training other officers.

“I teach field sobriety to other officers, and I have a passion for teaching other officers,” Broome said. “Having veteran officers around me… I can’t even begin to speak to how much that helped my career.”

Broome also has held leadership positions with the Harrison City Volunteer Fire Department, which he said have prepared him for the command decisions he will make as sergeant.

After testing, interviewing for the position and being selected for the role by the Penn Township Commissioners, Broome said it was “rewarding” to see his hard work pay off. He added he is appreciative of the support he has received from his loved ones in the transition to a new work schedule.

“I’m very humbled that everyone showed up and supported me in that moment,” he said.

Commissioner Chuck Konkus made the motion to approve Sgt. Broome’s promotion.

“Congratulations to Sgt. Broome and his promotion,” Konkus said. “I want to thank the officers of the department and the families for showing up and their support for his promotion tonight.”

Chief John Otto spoke highly of Broome and his presence in the community as an officer.

“(Sgt. Broome) is a hometown Penn-Trafford kid. He did some work in Manor, and he came from Manor very highly recommended,” Otto said. “Over the last eight years, Sgt. Broome has met or exceeded the expectations that we have. He’s a good kid.”

Otto said it is good police officers like Broome who make promotional decisions challenging.

“I will tell you that over the last 11 years or so, we have been hiring police officers who have done a pretty good job. And the better job we do at hiring police officers, the more difficult the promotional decisions,” Otto said. “But Rob is a good police officer who comes highly recommended from his peers, and he continuously tries to achieve new heights and good things, so I’m excited to have him on board.”