ROBERT M. POLOKA, JR
Pittsburgh,PA
Summary
Incident commander and operations leader with over 30 years of crisis and incident management experience in military and law enforcement. Expert in coordinating multi-agency response, managing incident lifecycle from detection to recovery, and ensuring clear handoffs across shifts. Proven ability to drive post-incident reviews and implement corrective actions to enhance operational resilience. ICS-certified professional skilled in risk assessment and high-stress decision making.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Protection & Event Security Lead
Allegheny County Police Department
Pittsburgh, PA
01.2006 - Current
- Planned, coordinated, and executed over 30 high-level protective details alongside the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and DOD, acting as incident commander under ICS certification to ensure airtight security during national election cycles and dignitary visits.
- Conducted site assessments, risk analyses, and security sweeps for venues, hotels, and transportation routes.
- Directed interagency coordination across federal, state, and local agencies, ensuring clear handoffs and continuity through detailed incident documentation to maintain operational clarity and prevent information loss.
Training & Force Protection Leadership
Allegheny County Police Department
Pittsburgh, PA
01.2006 - Current
- Developed and led department-wide training programs in force protection, firearms, defensive driving, and de-escalation, impacting over 200 officers.
- Created a less-lethal use of force training program that contributed to a measurable decrease in department-wide force complaints.
- Served as lead analyst and advisor in use of force reviews, conducting post-incident analysis to drive corrective actions and improve department-wide protocols across multiple jurisdictions.
Incident Management & Tactical Oversight
Allegheny County Police Department
Pittsburgh, PA
01.2006 - Current
- Supervised frontline operations for 11–15 officers per shift; directed response during critical incidents, mass gatherings, and emergencies.
- Lead planner for mass casualty exercise at Pittsburgh International Airport, involving multi-agency crisis coordination.
Bomb Squad & Tactical Support
Allegheny County Police Department
Pittsburgh, PA
01.2006 - Current
- Certified FBI Bomb Technician and Hazardous Materials Specialist; supported NSSEs and VIP protection missions with threat mitigation and EOD expertise.
- Developed quarterly inter-agency training exercises for 50+ bomb techs and investigators.
Command Sergeant Major / Senior Enlisted Advisor
Pennsylvania Army National Guard
, PA
01.1994 - Current
- Senior Enlisted Advisor for over 2,000 personnel across multiple battalions; advised executive leadership on force protection, security operations, and crisis response.
- Served as Senior Enlisted Advisor to the U.S. State Department during a one-year deployment in Qatar, facilitating Afghan refugee processing and diplomatic security coordination.
- Led operational planning and mission execution during two National Special Security Events, serving under the Dual Status Commander.
- Directed resiliency and wellness initiatives across the force, ensuring psychological readiness for high-stress operations.
- Reviewed and advised on intelligence oversight and security protocols for all brigade facilities.
Education
B.A. - Homeland Security
American Military University
01.2016
Skills
- Executive/Dignitary Protection Operations
- Threat & Risk Assessment
- Protective Intelligence & Site Security
- Crisis & Emergency Response
- Multi-Agency Coordination
- Protective Logistics & Advance Planning
- Training & Team Development
- Force Protection/Use of Force Analysis
- Large-Scale Event Security
- Intelligence Liaison
- Counter-Surveillance
- Incident Command
- High-Stress Decision Making
- Post-Incident Analysis
- Technical Knowledge
- Security & Risk Assessment Tools
- Emergency Response Planning Systems
- Incident Command Systems (ICS/NIMS)
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Intelligence Dashboards
Certification
- Executive/Dignitary Protection Certification: NYPD
- Force Science Institute Analyst
- Use of Force / Threat Pattern Recognition: FEMA
- Realistic De-Escalation: Force Science Institute
- FLETC Use of Force Instructor
- FBI Hazardous Devices School: Bomb Technician
- Post-Blast Investigations: FBI & Underwater Post-Blast
- Explosive Breaching: Forced Entry Tactical Training
- Advanced Military Ordnance Recognition: Texas A&M
- Crisis Intervention, Confined Space Rescue, CPR/First Aid Instructor
- ICS 100–800 Certified | EOC-IMT Integration
Core Competencies
Executive/Dignitary Protection Operations, Threat & Risk Assessment, Protective Intelligence & Site Security, Crisis & Emergency Response, Multi-Agency Coordination, Protective Logistics & Advance Planning, Training & Team Development, Force Protection/Use of Force Analysis, Large-Scale Event Security, Intelligence Liaison | Counter-Surveillance, Incident Command | ICS Certified, High-Stress Decision Making, Post-Incident Analysis, Technical Knowledge, Security & Risk Assessment Tools, Emergency Response Planning Systems, Incident Command Systems (ICS/NIMS), Microsoft Office Suite, Intelligence Dashboards
Timeline
Executive Protection & Event Security Lead
Allegheny County Police Department
01.2006 - Current
Training & Force Protection Leadership
Allegheny County Police Department
01.2006 - Current
Incident Management & Tactical Oversight
Allegheny County Police Department
01.2006 - Current
Bomb Squad & Tactical Support
Allegheny County Police Department
01.2006 - Current
Command Sergeant Major / Senior Enlisted Advisor
Pennsylvania Army National Guard
01.1994 - Current
B.A. - Homeland Security
American Military University