State police announce officer promotions

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania –
Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Policeannounced the promotion of six members, one to captain and five to lieutenant. All were honored at a promotion ceremony on May 24.

Leslie E. Barr promoted to captain

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Leslie E. Barr to captain and assigned her to the Office of Policy and Legislation.

Captain Barr is a native of Cochranton, Crawford County, and joined the State Police in 2005. After graduating from the academy, she was assigned to Troop C, Kane, and later served in the patrol unit of Troop E, Warren.

Captain Barr was promoted to Corporal in 2015 and served as a Patrol Unit Supervisor with Troop F, Coudersport and Troop E, Franklin. She then served in the Bureau of Research and Development’s Policy and Procedure Unit until being promoted to Sergeant in 2018. She was assigned to Troop L, Reading as a Patrol Section Supervisor and later served as a Station Commander with Troop L, Jonestown.

Captain Barr was then appointed as the Departmental Regulatory Coordinator in the Office of Policy and Legislation until 2021, when she was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to the Department’s Disciplinary Office. She was then assigned to the Office of Policy and Legislation.

Captain Barr is a graduate of Cochranton High School and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Michael P. Becker promoted to lieutenant

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Michael P. Becker to lieutenant and appointed him commander of the Aviation Section, Special Services Division, Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations. Lieutenant Becker most recently served as chief of the Aviation Section.

Lieutenant Becker is from Frackville, Schuylkill County and joined the State Police in 2005.

After graduating from the academy, he was assigned to Troop M in Fogelsville.

Lieutenant Becker served in Troops M and L and the Tactical Operations and Special Services divisions of the Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations. He was promoted to Corporal in 2016 and Sergeant in 2018.

Justin J. Feeney promoted to Lieutenant

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Justin J. Feeney to Lieutenant and appointed him Commander of the Emergency Preparedness and Department Watch Center, Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Lieutenant Feeney most recently served as a supervisor in the Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center, Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Lieutenant Feeney is a native of New Providence, Lancaster County, and joined the State Police in 2008. After graduating from the academy, he was assigned to Troop H in York.

During his career, Lieutenant Feeney served in Troops H, J, and the Analytical Intelligence Section of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. He was promoted to Corporal in 2016 and Sergeant in 2020.

Ozzie Mills III promoted to lieutenant

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Ozzie Mills III to Lieutenant and appointed him as the Community Affairs Section Commander of the Office of Community Engagement. Lieutenant Mills most recently served as the Patrol Section Supervisor with Troop H, Harrisburg.

Lieutenant Mills is from Monessen, Westmoreland County and joined the State Police in 2007. After graduating from the academy, he was assigned to Troop B in Uniontown.

During his advancement, Lieutenant Mills served in Troops B, H, K, T, and the Office of Community Engagement. He was promoted to Corporal in 2018 and Sergeant in 2021.

Lauren A. Spallone promoted to Lieutenant

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Lauren A. Spallone to Lieutenant and appointed her as Director of the Bureau of Patrol’s Safety Program Division. Lieutenant Spallone most recently served as Chief of the Criminal Investigation Division at Troop A in Greensburg.

Lieutenant Spallone is a Chester County native and joined the State Police in 2009. After graduating from the academy, she was assigned to Troop J in Embreeville.

During her career, Lieutenant Spallone served in Troops J and A. She was promoted to Corporal in 2017 and Sergeant in 2019.

Timothy B. Starke promoted to lieutenant

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Timothy B. Starke to lieutenant and appointed him commander of the Operational Technology Services Division in the Office of Communications and Information Services. Lieutenant Starke most recently served as staff section commander with Troop H in Harrisburg.

Lieutenant Starke is a native of Camp Hill, Cumberland County, and joined the State Police in 2003. After graduating from the academy, he was assigned to Troop K, Media.

During his career, Lieutenant Starke served in Troop K, the Communications and Information Services Office, and Troops B and H. He was promoted to Corporal in 2014 and Sergeant in 2019.

Michelle Snyder promoted to Administrative Officer 1

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Michelle Snyder to Administrative Officer 1 and appointed her as administrative director of the Office of Communications and Information Services.

A native of Carlisle, Cumberland County, Snyder started with the Pennsylvania State Police in May 2013 as a transcriptionist 2 with Troop H, Chambersburg. In November 2018, she accepted a promotion to administrative assistant 1 in the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. She accepted her promotion to administrative manager of the bureau in May 2023.

Contact: Lt. Adam Reed or Myles Snyder, 717-783-5556, [email protected]

# # #​