Pennsylvania State Police Name Three Deputy Commissioners

Harrisburg – Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan today announced the appointment of three state police majors to serve as deputy commissioners. The new deputies are:

• Major George L. Bivens, 48, of Davidsville, Somerset County, deputy commissioner of operations;
• Major Kenneth F. Hill, 52, of Pennsdale, Lycoming County, deputy commissioner of administration and professional responsibility; and
• Major Scott Snyder, 54, of Coopersburg, Lehigh County, deputy commissioner of staff.

“These individuals have the experience, the knowledge and the leadership abilities to help the Pennsylvania State Police maintain its reputation as the finest state police organization in the country,” Noonan said. “They have my full confidence and each will be a tremendous asset in our efforts to provide our citizens with the highest level of police protection.”

The deputies, who will hold the rank of lieutenant colonel, have a combined 83 years of service with the state police.

Bivens was promoted to major in January 2008 and assigned as director of the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

A native of Johnstown, Cambria County, Bivens enlisted in the state police in September 1985.  He served at stations in Uniontown, Somerset, Ebensburg and Washington; with the Region V Strike Force in Greensburg; and with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Organized Crime Section and Intelligence Division.

Bivens is a 1997 graduate of the FBI National Academy and a 2010 graduate of the FBI’s Leadership in Counterterrorism Program, which included studies at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Scottish Police College, and with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He and his wife, the former Francine Satkovich, have three children.

As deputy commissioner of operations, Bivens will oversee the department’s four Area Commands, 16 troops, Bureau of Patrol, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations, Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, and Gaming Enforcement Office.

Hill most recently served as director of the State Police Bureau of Forensic Services.  Prior to that, he was commanding officer of Troop F, Montoursville, and Troop P, Wyoming.

A native of Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Hill enlisted in the state police in October 1981. Hill also served at stations in Milton and Laporte and with the Region IV Strike Force of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Division of Drug Law Enforcement.

Hill received the State Police Medal of Honor for rescuing individuals stranded by flooding in Old Lycoming Township, Lycoming County, in January 1996.

A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Hill is a 1999 graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and a 2005 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. Hill and his wife, Deborah Antonetti-Hill, have four children.

As deputy commissioner of administration and professional responsibility, Hill will oversee the operations of the Bureau of Human Resources, Bureau of Training and Education, Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards, Member Assistance Office, Discipline Office, Risk Management Office, Equal Employment Opportunity Office, and Heritage Affairs Office.

Snyder has served since March 2007 as director of the State Police Bureau of Records and Identification in Harrisburg.

A native of Allentown, Lehigh County, Snyder enlisted in the state police in January 1983.  Snyder also served at stations in Lancaster, Fogelsville, Swiftwater, Bethlehem, Belfast and Wyoming.  He served as captain of Troop M, Bethlehem from 2003 to 2007.

Snyder is a 1979 graduate of West Chester University and a 2002 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.  He and his wife, the former Corinne Jensen, have one daughter.

In his position as deputy commissioner of staff, Snyder will oversee the operations of the Bureau of Forensic Services, Bureau of Staff Services, Bureau of Information Technology, Bureau of Records and Identification, Bureau of Research and Development, and Bureau of Communications and Information Services.

For more information and photos of the deputies, visit www.pa.gov.