New Police Chief Starts Work in West Pottsgrove
WEST POTTSGROVE PA – New township Police Chief Joseph F. Sokolofski, a former Pennsylvania State Police barracks’ commander of Troop M in Bethlehem PA, has taken his oath of office and is on the job in West Pottsgrove.
Township commissioners witnessed Sokolofski’s swearing-in ceremony (at top left) during their Aug. 4 (2021) meeting, and then officially welcomed the chief. He succeeds the late Matthew Stofflet, who died unexpectedly last December.
Sokolofski was selected from among more than 30 candidates suggested to the Board of Commissioners by Safe City Solutions, a Perkasie-based consulting firm hired by the township to conduct its search for the department’s new leader.
Sokolofski, who recently retired from the troopers’ ranks after more than 29 years of service, brings a wealth of additional experience to the job, township Manager Scott Hutt noted. As a captain, Sokolofski earlier worked as director of the Drug Law Enforcement Division of the state police Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Earlier still, as a lieutenant, he led Troop M’s Criminal Investigation Section, and previously led its Staff Services Section.
Over a period of years the chief has earned a long list of honors that include graduation from the FBI Academy, degrees in organizational leadership and criminal justice from Penn State University and Luzerne County Community College, respectively; and service awards and letters of commendation from state police administrative leaders. He also is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Photo supplied by West Pottsgrove Township
