Embattled Pa. state police nominee withdraws
HARRISBURG - Following months of controversy, Gov. Wolf's embattled choice to lead the Pennsylvania State Police on Monday withdrew his name from consideration.
HARRISBURG - Following months of controversy, Gov. Wolf's embattled choice to lead the Pennsylvania State Police on Monday withdrew his name from consideration.
Acting State Police Commissioner Marcus Brown's decision was announced in a statement from the governor's office. In it, Brown did not state a reason for the decision. But Wolf cited politics.
"Marcus Brown is the type of leader that Pennsylvania would be lucky to have," the governor said in the statement. "Despite Marcus' vast and unquestioned qualifications, the Senate wrongfully rejected his nomination in a move that put politics above the best interests of the people of Pennsylvania, and it is now appropriate to select a new nominee to lead the Pennsylvania State Police."
Wolf said Brown will remain at the agency until he names a new commissioner.
Brown's withdrawal signaled another setback for the governor, who for months has been standing by his choice, citing Brown's long career in law enforcement and his commitment to diversifying the agencies for which he has worked.
But the political pressure on the first-term Democratic governor to pull the nomination has been fierce.
Last week, the Republican-led Senate rejected Brown's nomination, saying there were too many questions about his ability to lead the agency, which with 6,000 employees is one of the largest law enforcement forces in the country.
Much of the controversy swirling around Brown has stemmed from his decision to wear the state police's gray uniform despite never having attended the agency's academy.
A small but vocal group of retired troopers has called Brown's decision a sign of disrespect to those who have gone through the rigorous training.
Democrats in the chamber have complained that Brown was collateral damage in the ongoing political tension between Wolf and Senate Republicans.
Several also said they believe Brown, who came to Pennsylvania after running the Maryland State Police, was being toppled because of his long history of making organizations for which he has worked more racially diverse.
About 90 minutes or so after Wolf's announcement, a spokeswoman issued a statement from Brown. It said: "Earlier today, I submitted to Governor Wolf my withdrawal from consideration to be commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. It has been an honor leading the State Police, and the men and women of this organization are of the highest caliber. I thank Governor Wolf for this opportunity. I will remain as acting commissioner until Governor Wolf selects a new nominee."
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