Hearing on State Police nominee

HARRISBURG - The state Senate will hold a long-awaited hearing next week on Gov. Wolf's embattled nominee to lead the State Police.

The Law and Justice Committee has scheduled a hearing Wednesday on acting Commissioner Marcus Brown's nomination.

Some retired troopers have criticized Brown, a former Maryland state police superintendent, because he wears a Pennsylvania trooper's uniform but did not attend the State Police Academy or come up through department ranks. Others have questioned Brown's views on law enforcement.

Earlier this year, Brown came under fire for removing road signs near his Harrisburg-area home that were critical of him.

The Cumberland County district attorney investigated but ultimately declined to file charges and instead chided both Brown and the retired trooper who placed the signs then video-recorded Brown removing them.

Some senators have said Brown might not have enough support to win confirmation.

Wolf has steadfastly stood by his nominee. The governor says Brown is qualified to lead the State Police, one of the nation's largest law enforcement agencies with about 6,000 personnel. - AP