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York City police commission promotes officers and swears in new officer at public ceremony
Summary
Police Commissioner Michael Muldrow and Mayor Helfrich honored several promotions and administered an oath to a newly sworn officer at a York City Police Department ceremony, highlighting resilience after on-duty injuries and department crime-reduction efforts.
York City Police Commissioner Michael Muldrow presided over a promotion ceremony that honored several officers and included the swearing-in of a new officer.
Muldrow opened the event by describing the occasion as a time to "honor, celebrate, and promote people who show up" and called forward officers being advanced into leadership roles. He described one promoted officer, Detective Kyle Pitts, as a "hero" who returned to duty after being shot in the line of duty. Muldrow said of the promoted personnel, "We've seen what you did and you matter and we wanna be like that." (Michael Muldrow)
Mayor Helfrich addressed the assembled officers and families, thanking them for their service and crediting the department with improved outcomes in the city. The mayor stated that "the closure rates, the reduction in violence in our city, it's unparalleled around the country," but did not provide specific numerical statistics. He asked the audience to join him in recognizing the officers' work. (Mayor Helfrich)
The ceremony included formal promotions and appointments called out by the commissioner. Among those named in the transcript were Detective Kyle Pitts; Sergeant Dustin Garron; Ben Smith, who was invited forward for a lieutenant-level leadership role; and Matthew Irvin, named as Captain Matt Irvin following a recent retirement in the captain rank. The event also included the public administration of the oath of office to Matthew Verneuza, who repeated the oath to support the U.S. Constitution, the constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the ordinances and laws of the City of York.
Muldrow offered three succinct pieces of leadership advice to the newly promoted officers: accept ownership rather than assign blame, remain flexible when plans change, and avoid denigrating the people you lead. He framed those points as practical guidance for officers stepping into roles that affect the department and community.
The ceremony closed with an invitation for family members to assist with pinning and for photographs. Muldrow described the gathering as the "last promotional class of mayor Helfrich's tenure and of 2025," and the event concluded with congratulations and photo opportunities.
Authorities referenced during the oath included the U.S. Constitution, the constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the ordinances and laws of the City of York.
