HARRISBURG — Colonel Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, recently announced the addition of four full-time Heritage Affairs Liaison Officers (HALOs) to the department’s Heritage Affairs Section.

The mission of the Heritage Affairs Section is to build relationships with historically underserved communities throughout the commonwealth and to work with local law enforcement agencies to prevent and investigate hate and bias-related crimes. Section members also lead the department’s training on implicit bias awareness and de-escalation techniques.

“Establishing lines of communication to facilitate meaningful collaboration with local leaders is an important part of community policing, which is why we have dedicated additional resources to the Heritage Affairs Section,” said Evanchick. “Troopers were hand-picked to fill these roles. Their backgrounds reflect the diversity of Pennsylvania, and they will continue to be at the forefront of the department’s efforts to make meaningful connections within the communities we serve.”

Led by section commander Lieutenant William Slaton, each HALO is assigned to a specific part of the state.

Corporal Aaron Allen will be the Western Heritage Affairs liaison officer, serving Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forrest, Greene, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango, Warren and Washington Counties.

Allen previously served as a patrol section supervisor and recruitment coordinator. He holds a master’s degree in criminal justice administration and management. A former college basketball player, Allen also coaches high school basketball.