Tavamenchin promotes Wood to police sergeant

TAVAMENTSYN — A longtime Tavamentsyn police officer now has a new title, and it’s one he’s had before.

Officer Travis Wood was promoted to police sergeant Wednesday night.

“His colleagues in our department, as well as officers throughout the region, will tell you that he has certainly earned it through his hard work and dedication to the police department and the community,” said Police Chief Tim Troxel.

According to Troxel, Wood began his career with the department in August 2006 and served as a patrol officer until 2010, when he was assigned to the department’s traffic safety division as a traffic safety officer.

“As a traffic officer, Travis is certified as an accident reconstructionist, which he uses to investigate not only here in Tawamencin, but throughout the Northern Pennsylvania region as he works with the regional crash investigation team,” Troxel said.

Wood qualified as a firearms instructor in 2012 and has since been trained in defensive tactics, less-lethal systems and de-escalation tactics, as well as serving as the department’s field training officer for newcomers to the department, according to the chief. He also earned a master’s degree in national security from St. Joseph’s University, continued his education and professional development, and served as a commanding officer and active duty sergeant, “earning the respect and admiration of his peers as well as several awards for work merit to the police department and its community,” Troxel said.

After being sworn in by Chief Executive Chuck Wilson, Wood joked that he would prefer not to speak, then explained why.

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“I am grateful that this time has come. It was a lot of hard work. I’m more of a person who lets my work speak for what I do, so I hope to do a good job going forward and everyone will appreciate and understand why I deserve this position,” said Wood.

Wilson then thanked Wood’s colleagues who were in attendance to show their support: “We can’t say thank you enough for all you do.”