UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A former Pennsylvania State Police officer, who retired in January 2015 with the rank of lieutenant colonel after 27 years with the state’s highest law enforcement agency, has been named interim assistant vice president for University Police and Public Safety at Penn State, effective April 21.
Timothy Mercer, who also served as deputy commissioner of Administration and Professional Responsibility with the State Police and in several other capacities, will take on the role of overseeing University police, Clery Act compliance, public safety and emergency operations following the April 8 resignation of former director Steve Shelow. Mercer will remain in the position as a national search is conducted for a permanent replacement.
"Penn State is fortunate to have identified a seasoned police leader of the caliber and experience of Timothy Mercer. His increasingly responsible roles with the Pennsylvania State Police have given him management experience in a large, state-wide organization,” said David Gray, senior vice president for Finance and Business. “In a previous assignment as a commanding officer in Hollidaysburg, Pa., he worked with Penn State police and others on large-scale events such as home football games. He is deeply respected within the law enforcement community for his proven leadership skills and integrity."
Mercer, who joined the Pennsylvania State Police as a trooper in 1988 after graduating with honors from Penn State and completing training with the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, worked his way through the police ranks over nearly three decades to reach the position of lieutenant colonel in 2013. In this role, Mercer directly oversaw numerous entities within the State Police, including the Bureau of Training and Education; Bureau of Integrity and Professional Responsibilities; Bureau of Forensic Services; Bureau of Human Resources; Bureau of Records and Identification; Department Discipline Office; Department Labor Relations Office; Department Equal Employment Opportunity Office; and the Member Assistance Program.
“I am extremely humbled and honored to be afforded this incredible opportunity,” Mercer said. “I look forward to working with the many talented and experienced professionals within the Penn State community. The University Police Department has an outstanding reputation of excellence with regard to law enforcement and public safety, and the prospect of working with this team is very exciting.”
In addition to his training with the State Police Academy, Mercer also is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quantico, Va., which is a 10-week training program for high-level police executives.
Over the course of his career, Mercer has accumulated extensive experience in patrol and criminal investigative techniques, as well as police administration. At one point, Mercer was in charge of operations at seven State Police stations throughout central Pennsylvania and approximately 275 personnel. He also has testified before Pennsylvania House and Senate committees; has overseen police grievance procedures; drafted police policies and regulations; adjudicated disciplinary cases; and undertaken training in a wide variety of areas, including fire and arson investigation, forensic death investigation and domestic violence and sexual assault prevention.
As interim head of University Police and Public Safety, Mercer will oversee 83 employees and report to Gray.