PA State Police Commissioner: Duties, Pay, and 2026 Transition

The Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner is the top officer of the state’s law enforcement agency, nominated by the Governor, confirmed by the Senate, and serving a four-year term tied to the gubernatorial election cycle. As of early 2026, Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens holds the role in an acting capacity after Colonel Christopher Paris retired effective January 2, 2026, to take a position with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.¹ The Commissioner sits on the Governor’s cabinet and leads one of the oldest and largest state law enforcement agencies in the country.²

How the Commissioner Is Appointed

The Governor nominates the Commissioner, and the appointment becomes official only after the Senate consents by a majority vote of its elected members.³ Governor Josh Shapiro, for example, nominated Christopher Paris on January 19, 2023, and the Senate unanimously confirmed him on March 9, 2023.¹ Nominees typically appear at a confirmation hearing where senators examine their law enforcement background and policy priorities before the floor vote.

A screening step sits in front of the Governor’s choice. Under the statute, a committee selects three qualified candidates and submits their names to the Governor without ranking them; the Governor can pick from that list or make an independent selection.³ If the Commissioner leaves mid-term, the Governor can name an Acting Commissioner to run the agency while a permanent nominee moves through the process. That is what happened at the end of 2025 when Bivens stepped in.¹

Length of the Term

The Commissioner serves a four-year term that begins on the third Tuesday of January following a gubernatorial election. The officeholder stays in the position until a successor is appointed and qualified, so leadership does not lapse if a confirmation runs long.⁴ Because the clock runs with the Governor’s election, a new Governor can nominate a different Commissioner shortly after taking office, though in practice many Commissioners are retained across administrations.

What the Commissioner Does

The Commissioner directs statewide enforcement of Pennsylvania law across all 67 counties, including highway patrol operations. The job also includes overseeing the training and professional discipline of all sworn members and civilian employees, running the State Police Academy where cadets train before entering the field, and setting departmental policy on use of force, pursuits, and internal affairs. Several specialized units report up through the Commissioner, including the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which handles organized crime, narcotics, and major cases that cross local lines, and the Bureau of Forensic Services, which provides laboratory analysis for state and local agencies.

During large emergencies and multi-jurisdictional investigations, the State Police coordinates with federal law enforcement and provides specialized personnel, equipment, and command support at the Commissioner’s direction.

Firearms Background Checks

The Commissioner also oversees the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS), run by the agency’s Firearms Division. PICS verifies whether a person is legally permitted to purchase a firearm, processing checks submitted by firearms dealers and county sheriffs across the state.⁵ Pennsylvania runs its own point-of-sale check rather than relying only on the federal NICS system, which puts the volume of those transactions under the Commissioner’s direct oversight.

Chair of the Municipal Police Training Commission

By virtue of the office, the Commissioner serves ex officio as chairperson of the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission.⁶ That commission sets training and certification standards for municipal police officers throughout Pennsylvania, giving the State Police Commissioner influence over the education requirements for thousands of local officers who work outside the state agency.

Salary

The Commissioner’s pay is set by statute. As of January 1, 2026, the annual salary is $192,941.⁷ The Commissioner also receives standard Commonwealth employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement through the State Employees’ Retirement System, and leave accrual. Salary changes come through legislation rather than automatic cost-of-living adjustments.

The 2026 Leadership Transition

Christopher Paris served as Commissioner from his confirmation in March 2023 until his departure on January 2, 2026, closing a 26-year career with the State Police before leaving for the FBI. Governor Shapiro credited him with strengthening accountability and improving public trust during his tenure.¹

George Bivens, a Johnstown native who joined the State Police in 1985, was named Acting Commissioner effective December 31, 2025. He had been serving as Deputy Commissioner of Operations, the second-highest-ranking post in the agency, before stepping into the top role.¹ As of mid-2026, Bivens continues to lead the department in an acting capacity while the selection and confirmation of a permanent Commissioner proceeds.

1
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Governor Shapiro Announces Leadership Transition at the Pennsylvania State Police
2
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Governor’s Cabinet
3
Pennsylvania General Assembly. House Bill 976 Session of 1977 – Section 7.1 State Police Commissioner Appointment
4
Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania Administrative Code of 1929 – Section 208 Terms of Office
5
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Firearms Records
6
Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania Code Title 53 Chapter 21 – Section 2163 Commission Members
7
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Statutory Salaries