TITUSVILLE: Local man oversees county detectives

Kenneth L. Beckman began his career with the Hopewell Township Police Department

By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
   Kenneth L. Beckman, a 33-year law enforcement veteran who began his career with the Hopewell Township Police Department, was sworn in as chief of county detectives on March 19 as family and friends looked on.
   Chief Beckman, 57, of Titusville will oversee the county’s 63 detectives and agents. His salary for his new post has not been approved yet, according to prosecutor’s office spokeswoman Casey DeBlasio.
   ”Ken’s experience, leadership skills and professionalism have been valuable assets to me over the last five and a half years,” Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph Bocchini said. “He has all of the credentials to be a successful chief and I’m confident he will do an outstanding job.”
   Chief Beckman began his law enforcement career with the Hopewell Township Police Department, where he worked as an officer for eight years. In September 1983, he was hired by the prosecutor’s office and rose to the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and captain.
   ”During his 25 years with the prosecutor’s office, Beckman has worked in nearly every unit, including 13 years investigating homicides,” said Ms. DeBlasio.
   He was promoted to sergeant in May 1992 and supervised the grand jury and trial units over the next three and a half years. In October 1995, Chief Beckman was promoted to lieutenant and spent a year supervising the homicide unit. He was promoted to captain in November 1996.
   Ms. DeBlasio said Chief Beckman also “was instrumental in initiating the countywide mug shot system and bringing the InfoShare database system to the prosecutor’s office. He also serves as the prosecutor’s liaison for emergency management matters and is also a certified polygraph examiner.”
   Chief Beckman received an associate degree from Mercer County Community College. He is a graduate of the Trenton Police Academy.
   Chief Beckman succeeds Marty Levandowski, who retired at the end of February.