Police chief carries message of civic responsibility since youth

Community Close up

While it's been said that the police are an intricate part of the court system, State College Police Chief Tom King admits there is one court he loves to dominate -- the basketball court.

King's love for the game came from playground matches during his childhood in Uniontown. King was the third of five children, with both two older and two younger brothers and sisters.

King said he learned the lessons of civic responsibility at an early age from his parents and his faith is a predominant factor in his decision making.

"A lot of my beliefs are out of the Bible," King said. "It's not always been easy, but it is something to strive for."

King's decision to go into law enforcement came while attending a career seminar in the seventh grade, where he met a police officer.

"I've always been intrigued by police work," King said. "It's a challenge to figure out who did it, and I wanted to help people in critical situations. I've always taken pride in knowing the people who I've helped more than those whom I put in jail."

When King graduated from high school in Uniontown, he attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, earning a bachelor's degree in criminology in 1980. He accepted a position with the Uniontown Police Department and six months later, he was hired by the State College Police Department as a patrolman in July 1981.

Since then, he served as a detective, a sergeant and chief of police, a position he has held for almost five years.

"At this point I am very happy. I plan to stay here for a while, as long as my boss and the community like me," King said, smiling. "I am very, very committed to my job, but, I am more committed to my family, and I don't see that as a problem."

King, who is married and has an 8-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son, spends the remainder of his free time serving on various volunteer organizations in State College. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the United Way, the State College Area YMCA and is a member of the Kiwanis Club.

"This is a great community -- you don't find many like it," King said. "Nice mix of people in education, age, race -- it's a diverse community and I like it. It's a safe place."

Except on the basketball court King is using that night.