Gov. Tom Wolf Names Marcus Brown to Head State’s Homeland Security

Marcus Brown

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced today he was naming Col. Marcus Brown — the man he couldn’t get confirmed as head of the Pennsylvania State Police — the state’s Director of Homeland Security.

Brown was nominated by Wolf as state police commissioner in January, but was unpopular as an outsider. He attracted controversy for several issues that could maybe have been dismissed as minor for a more popular nominee, including wearing a state police uniform without having been confirmed, removing signs critical of his choice to wear the inform and some financial issues. “My family has been surveilled and harassed,” he wrote in an op-ed, “and I have been personally attacked.” 

The Senate voted down the nomination in June, but Wolf threatened to continue to keep him on as acting commissioner. He eventually changed his mind and nominated 30-year state police vet Tyree Blocker; Brown will stay on until Blocker is confirmed.

“The commonwealth must take every step necessary to protect its citizens from terrorist threats,” Wolf said in a release. “I am confident that Col. Brown’s leadership and experience will be an asset to the commonwealth in this role.… Col. Brown has proven himself as a dynamic leader in all aspects of law enforcement.”

Wolf cited Brown’s work in 25 years of law enforcement, including his time as superintendent of the Maryland State Police, in his statement announcing Brown’s appointment to the job.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security was created by a Tom Corbett executive order in 2012. Corbett named 22-year FBI veteran Thomas Minton, a Delaware County native, director of the office. To help with coordination, Corbett moved the office to Pennsylvania State Police headquarters.

Follow @dhm on Twitter.