Christopher Paris

{{short description|27th commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Christopher Paris

| order = 27th Commissioner of the

| office = Pennsylvania State Police

| governor = Josh Shapiro

| term_end =

| term_start = March 9, 2023
Acting: January 19, 2023 – March 9, 2023

| children =

| spouse =

| death_place =

| death_date =

| birth_place = Dunmore, Pennsylvania, U.S.

| birth_date =

| predecessor = Robert Evanchick

| status =

| image =

| profession = Law enforcement

| education = University of Scranton
Temple University Beasley School of Law (JD)

}}

Christopher L. Paris is an American law enforcement officer and the incumbent Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police.{{Cite web |title=PSP Commissioner Biography |url=https://www.psp.pa.gov/Pages/psp-commissioner-biography.aspx |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=Pennsylvania State Police |language=en-US}} He is the 23rd state police commissioner and the 27th individual to lead the force.{{cite web|url=https://www.psta.org/news-events/news/psta-congratulates-christopher-paris-on-being-nominated-to-lead-pennsylvania-state-police/|title=PSTA Congratulates Christopher Paris on Being Nominated to Lead Pennsylvania State Police|access-date=April 20, 2024|date=January 13, 2023|publisher=Pennsylvania State Trooper Association}}

Early life and education

= Early life =

Christopher L. Paris was born in the Dunmore, Pennsylvania area. He attended and graduated from Scranton Preparatory School located in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1994.

= Education =

After graduating from preparatory school, Paris attended the University of Scranton where he graduated magna cum laude in 1998.

Paris earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Temple University Beasley School of Law in 2004, and in 2005 he passed the Pennsylvania Bar Exam, of which he is an active member. Paris has also passed the New Jersey Bar Exam.

Paris is a graduate of the 267th session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, graduating on March 17, 2017.

Law enforcement career

= Early career =

A native of the Dunmore area Paris, enlisted into the state police in 1999 where he started as a Trooper assigned to Troop K, Skippack and Philadelphia. As Paris progressed through the ranks, he also served in the Bureau of Training and Education, the Department Discipline Office, Troop R Dunmore and Blooming Grove, and Department Headquarters.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-13 |title=Lackawanna County man tapped to head PSP |url=https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/lackawanna-county-man-tapped-to-head-psp-pennsylvania-state-police-troopers-harrisburg/523-0c00947c-5d46-49d0-b30e-7c371cf3b897 |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=wnep.com |language=en-US}}

= Pennsylvania State Police =

After enlisting in the Pennsylvania State Police in 1999, Paris would serve as a Trooper assigned to Troop K, Skippack and Philadelphia.

Throughout his career in the department, he has served in the roles of Station and Troop Commander, Area III Commander, and Deputy Commissioner of Administration and Professional Responsibility.

On March 9, 2023, Paris was confirmed by the Pennsylvania State Senate as the next Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police,{{Cite web |title=Senate Confirms Henry, Paris To Key Posts |url=https://www.politicspa.com/senate-confirms-henry-paris-to-key-posts/119102/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=www.politicspa.com/ |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Executive Nominations Information - Paris, Major Christopher |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/exnom/DisplayResults.cfm?PersonID=3749&PositionID=252 |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. |language=English}} he had previously been serving as the Acting Commissioner since January 19, 2023 when he was appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-15 |title=Five More Cabinet Posts Filled By Shapiro |url=https://www.politicspa.com/five-more-cabinet-posts-filled-by-shapiro/117351/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=www.politicspa.com/ |language=en-US}}

Paris was Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police during the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. On July 23rd, he testified before Congress regarding the state police actions during the event.{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania state police chief testifies before House on Trump shooting |url=https://thehill.com/video-clips/4787710-watch-live-pennsylvania-police-testimony-donald-trump-assassination-attempt/ |website=The Hill}}

= Dates of promotion =

Paris began his career in the state police as a Trooper in 1999.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-13 |title=Shapiro announces nominations for Pennsylvania public safety leaders |url=https://www.abc27.com/pennsylvania-politics/shapiro-announces-nominations-for-pennsylvania-public-safety-leaders/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=ABC27 |language=en-US}}
In 2005, he was promoted to Corporal
In 2006, he was promoted to Sergeant
In 2010, he was promoted to Lieutenant
In 2015, he was promoted to Captain
In 2018, he was promoted to Major
In 2020, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
Paris was appointed Acting Commissioner by Governor Shapiro on January 19, 2023.