ROBERT M. POLOKA, JR.
Pittsburgh,PA
Summary
Dynamic law enforcement professional with extensive experience in team supervision and field operations. Recognized for a proven ability to maintain public safety through strategic planning and effective conflict resolution. Demonstrates a strong track record in emergency response and leadership within high-pressure environments, consistently adapting to evolving challenges while ensuring operational efficiency. Committed to fostering team collaboration and achieving results, with a focus on developing streamlined processes that align with organizational objectives. Known for a collaborative approach and unwavering dedication to excellence, driving teams toward success in complex projects.
Overview
1
1
Certificate
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Patrol Sergeant
Allegheny County Police Department
01.2006 - Current
- Assign daily duties to officers, review incident reports, respond to all major incidents that occur during the shift, deploy personnel during special events/emergencies and conduct daily briefings and inspections. Responsible for any nontypical daily event that required dynamic planning and execution along with rapid decision making.
- In conjunction with the United States Secret Service/Federal Bureau of Investigations/Pennsylvania State police/Pittsburgh Bureau of Police/Pennsylvania Air National Guard/United States Air Force Reserves and many other local agencies, planned, coordinated and executed over 30 election cycle details to include the President of the United States/Vice President/and their respective opponents as well as various other candidates and politicians and heads of state.
- Lead law enforcement/exercise planner for the first large scale mass casualty exercise in the new Pittsburgh International Airport terminal.
- Police Academy Training Coordinator, Firearms/Perceptual Driving/De-escalation/Use of Force Instructor, Force Science Analyst (2018-2023)
- Responsible for recruit development within the police academy on average 50 recruits per year. Lead instructor for emergency vehicle operations. Primary Training Coordinator for department and academy training development. Entrusted to analyze the use of force in situations involving 200 Allegheny County Police Officers and others outside the department as requested. Established a less lethal training program for 200 current Allegheny County Police officers designed to lessen the use of force which has improved the use of force complaints across the department. Analyze schools and businesses for force protection measures as requested. Threat recognition and use of force specialist.
- Assisted in the development of detailed all-hazards response plans and orders in support of domestic operations; coordinated with federal, state, and local Emergency Management Agencies.
- Responsible for the only police academy in the state to have a record setting 100% Act 120 certification rate of 150 cadets for the last three years.
- Trained new officers on protocols, enhancing team effectiveness and operational readiness.
- Supervised patrol operations, ensuring compliance with departmental policies and procedures.
- Conducted investigations into incidents, gathering evidence and preparing detailed reports.
- Collaborated with community organizations to address local concerns and improve public relations.
- Led critical incident responses, coordinating multi-agency collaboration for effective outcomes.
Command Sergeant Major/Senior Enlisted Advisor
Pennsylvania Army National Guard
01.1994 - Current
- Served in multiple positions and capacities from local levels to the national level. Oversee the accomplishment of all doctrinal, specified, and implied missions; integrate all elements of combat power. Oversee the execution of training, operations, and tactics for over 2,000 personnel; develop and enforce risk management strategies with a team of ten soldiers. Responsible for monitoring and advising any deficiencies of the personnel and equipment readiness of all 5 subordinate Battalions. Review, analyze, and coordinate force structure changes and the fielding of new equipment. Supervise, coordinate, and synchronize activities for an average of 500 local soldiers annually; and over 2,000 total soldiers across the Brigade while ensuring efficient and prompt action.
- Selected as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the General during a year long deployment in support of the State department in Qatar.
- Worked daily with embassy and state department personnel as well as international partners to facilitate Afghan refugees being processed into the United States.
- Selected as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Dual Status Commander during two National Special Security Events.
- Developed and implemented organizational intelligence oversight policies and procedures across the 6 battalion properties by reviewing each plan and consulting with senior leadership recommending changes.
- Primary authority on resiliency training and the mental wellbeing of all 500 personnel.
Police Officer, Honor Guard Commander, Bomb Technician, Field Training Officer, SCUBA Diver
Allegheny County Police Department
01.2006 - 01.2023
- Respond to emergencies, apprehend suspects, transport prisoners, package evidence, seek missing/wanted persons, execute arrest and search warrants and file reports as well as enforce the laws of the commonwealth as required. Subject matter expert in improvised explosive devices. Hazardous Materials Technician. Certified post blast investigator both on land and underwater. Conduct dignitary missions including security sweeps with the Secret Service and FBI. Perform site security inspections as requested. Identified, assessed, mitigated, and monitored risks in order to reduce impacts to National Special Security Events in and around the Pittsburgh region.
- Selected as the Allegheny County Police Department’s Patrol Officer of the Year in 2016.
- Received the Amen Corner award for “Putting the lives of others before his own” 2016.
- Designed quarterly training event scenarios for 5 western PA Bomb Squads consisting of over 50 Bomb technicians and investigators.
Education
B.A. - Homeland Security
American Military University
Charles Town, WV01-2016
Skills
- Field training
- Officer safety
- Community policing
- De-escalation techniques
- First aid and CPR
- Patrol procedures
- Interviewing techniques
- Law enforcement tactics
- Firearms proficiency
- Integrity and honesty
- Investigative skills
- Physical fitness
- Stress tolerance
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Verbal and written communication
- Effective communication
- Decision-making
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 21 staff members.
Certification
- Executive/Dignitary Protection certified-NYPD
- Force Science Institute Analyst-Force Science Institute
- Threat Pattern Recognition/Use of Force Instructor-FEMA
- Realistic De-Escalation Instructor-Force Science Institute
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Use of Force Instructor-FEMA
- Firearms, Perceptual Driving and General studies Instructor
- Federal Bureau of Investigations-Hazardous Devices School (Bomb Tech)
- Center for Domestic Preparedness-Emergency Responder to Hazardous Materials
- Federal Bureau of Investigations-Post Blast Investigations and Underwater Post Blast
- Texas A&M University-Advanced Military Ordnance Recognition
- Forced Entry Tactical Training-Explosive Breacher
- Interviewing and Interrogation levels I, II, and III
- Pittsburgh Bureau of Police-Crisis Intervention Training
- American Red Cross-First Aid and CPR Instructor
- Allegheny County Fire Academy Confined Space Rescue and Basic Rigging
- ICS-100,200,300,400,700,800 and EOC-IMT Integration
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Timeline
Patrol Sergeant
Allegheny County Police Department
01.2006 - Current
Police Officer, Honor Guard Commander, Bomb Technician, Field Training Officer, SCUBA Diver
Allegheny County Police Department
01.2006 - 01.2023
Command Sergeant Major/Senior Enlisted Advisor
Pennsylvania Army National Guard
01.1994 - Current
B.A. - Homeland Security
American Military University