Larry Hogan appoints Pallozzi as State Police superintendent

Gov. Larry Hogan on Tuesday nominated longtime Maryland State Police employee William M. Pallozzi as his appointee to oversee the department.

Lt. Col. Pallozzi worked his way up through the ranks of the Maryland State Police over a 26-year career after joining in 1989 as a patrol trooper. According to a release issued by Mr. Hogan, Lt. Col. Pallozzi has led numerous divisions within the agency, including the Executive Protection Division, Criminal Investigation Bureau, and Support Services Bureau.

“For over two-and-a-half decades, Bill has risen through the ranks of the Maryland State Police, and I am confident that he will lead the men and women of this respected agency with the utmost integrity and will work tirelessly to protect and serve all the citizens of Maryland,” said Mr. Hogan, a Republican.

His appointment will still have to be confirmed by the Maryland Senate.

In 2013, Lt. Col. Pallozzi made the news by defending the Maryland State Police when the agency came under attack by then-Attorney General Doug Gansler during his campaign to become the Democratic nominee for governor. In response to a Washington Post story that reported Mr. Gansler had previously ordered state troopers assigned to him to use sirens to bypass traffic jams while escorting him, Mr. Gansler called the troopers who wrote memos on the incidents “henchmen” of his political opponent Anthony Brown.

Lt. Col. Pallozzi defended the Maryland State Police, saying the agency was “completely unattached and unaffiliated with any political party, cause or candidate.”