Gov. Josh Shapiro announced a leadership transition at the Pennsylvania State Police.

Colonel Christopher L. Paris will retire as commissioner effective Jan. 2, 2026, after accepting a position with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, concluding a distinguished career leading one of the largest police agencies in the nation.

Lt. Colonel George L. Bivens, who currently serves as deputy commissioner of Operations, will be named acting commissioner effective Dec. 31, ensuring continuity of leadership.

“Colonel Paris has served the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with the utmost integrity and distinction for 26 years, leading one of the largest police agencies in the nation while strengthening accountability and improving public trust. Colonel Paris has overseen some of the most difficult investigations, cases, manhunts, and events — and his leadership has helped ensure the Pennsylvania State Police remains the finest law enforcement agency in the nation. I am grateful for his service,” Shapiro said. “Lieutenant Colonel Bivens is a seasoned, respected leader with decades of experience who will step in and lead the State Police with steadiness and resolve, ensuring the agency does not miss a beat.”

Shapiro nominated Paris to serve as Commissioner on Jan. 19, 2023, and he was unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate on March 9, 2023.

“I would like to thank Governor Shapiro for the confidence he placed in me to serve in this role during his administration,” said Colonel Paris. “It has been an honor to lead the dedicated men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police, and I am proud of the work we’ve done together. Serving the people of Pennsylvania in this capacity has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.”

Under Colonel Paris’s leadership, PSP has played a central role in reducing violent crime while ensuring troopers have the resources they need to respond quickly and effectively to incidents. Violent crime has declined across much of Pennsylvania: violent crime is down nearly 12%, homicides are down 34%, and fatal gun violence is down 42%. These results reflect both effective law enforcement leadership and targeted, evidence-based investments that strengthen public safety and support communities statewide.

Shapiro’s 2025—26 budget continues that work by investing in PSP’s core mission: protecting communities and supporting local law enforcement, particularly in areas that rely heavily on their services. More than half of Pennsylvania’s 2,500 municipalities do not have a local police department, and among those that do, 72 percent have 10 or fewer full-time officers. Under Paris’s leadership, PSP has secured funding for 12 cadet classes to train more than 1,000 new Pennsylvania State Troopers. Since January 2023, more than 550 cadets have graduated and joined the ranks of PSP.

“I am honored to serve as acting commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police and I appreciate the confidence the Governor has placed in me,” said Lt. Col. Bivens. “Colonel Paris has built an extraordinary legacy of leadership, professionalism, and commitment to public safety, and I am grateful for his guidance throughout my career. I look forward to working with the dedicated men and women of PSP to continue our mission of keeping Pennsylvania communities safe, supporting our troopers, and ensuring that the Commonwealth remains a model for effective and accountable law enforcement.”

Paris enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in 1999, beginning his career as a Trooper assigned to Troop K, Skippack. Over the course of his career, he served in Troop K, Philadelphia; the Bureau of Training and Education; Troop R, Dunmore; the Department Discipline Office; the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards; and the Executive Office as Deputy Commissioner of Administration and Professional Responsibility. Prior to his role as commissioner, he served as commander of Area III.

Bivens currently serves as deputy commissioner of Operations, the second-highest-ranking position within the Pennsylvania State Police. A Johnstown native, Lt. Col. Bivens joined PSP in 1985 and spent much of his early career serving communities across Southwestern Pennsylvania.

In 2008, he was promoted to lead the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and in 2011, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Throughout his career, Lt. Col. Bivens has been a steady public-facing leader during some of the Commonwealth’s most complex and high-profile investigations, including leading the manhunt for Eric Frein in 2014 and overseeing the successful search for escaped convict Danelo Cavalcante in 2023.

Lt. Col. Bivens has received numerous commendations, including a Medal of Commendation for assisting a fellow trooper who was threatened during a 1998 confrontation with Ku Klux Klan members in Somerset County.