Adam R. Salyards has been an emergency responder for more than 28 years. He was a volunteer firefighter and EMT before starting his law enforcement career. Adam graduated from the Johnstown Regional Police Academy in 2002 and started working as a patrolman with the Greenfield Township Police Department in Claysburg, PA. He went on to work for the State College Police Department (SCPD) in State College, PA, in 2005. While at the SCPD, Adam served as a patrolman for 11.5 years while taking on many specialties: Bike Patrol, DARE Instructor, LE Active Shooter Instructor, First Aid/CPR instructor, and LE Firearms Instructor. He was also a SWAT operator and sniper for 13 years on a regional tactical response team.
Adam also spent 4.5 years as a community relations/crime prevention specialist at SCPD. In this position, he served his community in various roles: managing the PD’s internship program, creating outreach programs, founding and directing a regional citizens’ police academy, serving on various human services boards, serving as a liaison to multiple fraternities and sororities, conducting security site assessments, speaking at local, regional, and statewide conferences, and training individuals and organizations in response to active attacker events.
Adam was recognized as a “Central PA 4th Fest America’s Got Heroes” hero in 2017 for his dedication to community policing.
Adam was promoted to sergeant in 2020 while with the SCPD. In 2021 he was appointed as the chief of police for the Spring Township Police Department, where he currently leads all aspects of the department’s police operations and administration.
Chief Salyards’ educational background includes an associate of arts degree in criminal justice from the University of Phoenix, a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice management from Union Institute and University, and a master of science degree in organizational leadership from Union Institute and University. He is also a graduate of Leadership Centre County and the FBI's National Command Course and holds a specialization certificate in organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion from Rice University (Coursera).
Chief Salyards is the vice president of the PA Crime Prevention Officers Association, 1st vice president of the Small and Rural Law Enforcement Executive Association, a member of the PA Chiefs of Police Association, a member of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, and the president of Centre Helps (a local human-service nonprofit).
Adam is an innovative leader, passionate about community policing and officer wellness. He is certified in law enforcement peer to peer support and is a member of the Centre County Badge to Badge team.
Upcoming Courses
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