Knox Borough Council earlier this week hired Nicole Bauer as the borough’s next police chief, making Bauer Clarion County’s first female chief of police.
Bauer’s rise to police chief from patrol officer is effective June 21. Council set her starting hourly wage at $19.
Bauer, who lives in Shippenville with her husband and two daughters, told the Clarion News she is aware of her place in county history, but “really hasn’t thought about it that much.”
Bauer said she hopes as her daughters get older, they will see their mother’s accomplishment and realize its importance.
Bauer, 32, has worked in law enforcement since 2010, when she was hired as a Clarion County deputy by Sheriff Rex Munsee. Until then, Bauer said, she had not considered a career in law enforcement.
She worked part time as a deputy sheriff for Clarion and Butler counties before attending the state municipal police academy.
Bauer was hired by Knox Borough in July. At the time, she was employed by the Armstrong County Sheriff’s Department and the Manor Township (Armstrong County) Police Department.
She also has worked as a patrol officer in New Bethlehem and Clarion boroughs. In New Bethlehem, she rose to the rank of sergeant.
“It’s very satisfying and rewarding to have support of a borough council like Knox,” said Bauer, who credited former police chief Jason Bowen, who submitted his resignation in May and is taking a job in Allegheny County, for doing an “outstanding job” with developing community relations.
“I want to keep that going,” she said.
As a related move, council agreed to advertise for a patrol officer to replace Bauer. Council hopes to fill the position at next month’s meeting.
“I want to help find a new patrol officer,” Bauer said. “Then we can both get comfortable with our roles here.”
Bauer said she hopes to continue her earlier work with Keystone School District students.
Bauer called the Knox Borough community very welcoming.
“I was born and raised in the New Bethlehem area; it’s a small-town community, too,” she said. “When I got into law enforcement, I knew I wanted to work to police a small community like this.”
Bauer said she has enjoyed getting to know the people and businesses in the community, and enjoys seeing visitors at the police station.
“We have people just stop by,” she said. “I feel like I’ve been here for years.”
Bauer is “excited for the future” of police department.
“I really want to thank this council for offering me this chance to fill this role,” she said.