Shawn Knepper
Creating Success with Everyday Opportunities
As a committed law enforcement professional, my focus has always been on serving and protecting the community, especially our youth. With extensive experience in community-oriented policing, I have developed initiatives that strengthen relationships between law enforcement and students primarily through mentorship and education.
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My dedication to integrity, responsibility, and collaboration drives me to pursue ongoing training and improvement in my skills which will make a lasting impact in our community. By embracing a servant leadership approach, I prioritize the needs of others, empower individuals to contribute meaningfully to the community, and encourage collaboration within an inclusive environment where everyone's voice is valued, leading to stronger community bonds.
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I truly believe that by working together, we can create a brighter future for our youth and the entire community.
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Education
2008-2012
Saint Vincent College
Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology, complemented by business courses in Marketing, Human Resource Management, Lean Processing, and additional credits to enhance the application of deep theological and philosophical thought processes to business and public service.
2015
Westmoreland County Community College
Municipal Police Academy
Graduated summa cum laude and served as Class 42 President. Completed 809 hours of basic police officer training, including criminal law, traffic law, search and seizure, courtroom testimony, firearms, defensive tactics, and other related subjects.
Experience
2016 - Present
Law Enforcement
Since 2016, I have held various law enforcement positions, currently serving as a Patrolman with the Ligonier Valley Police Department. In this role, I developed the School Resource Officer Program for the Ligonier Valley School District, focusing on relationship-building, criminal justice education, and campus security. I coordinate intelligence sharing between agencies and oversee criminal history information as the Justice Terminal Agency Coordinator. My previous roles include Patrolman positions in Ligonier Borough and Ligonier Township, where I emphasized community policing and traffic enforcement, as well as patrol duties with the Westmoreland County Park Police and security services at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg to enhance campus safety.
2020 - Present
Ligoneir Valley School District
Embedding into the school community as the School Resource Officer, I have acquired opportunities for engaging the community youth as the Students Against Destructive Decisions advisor, Tobacco Resistance Unit advisor, Freshman Class advisor, and Assistant Coach for the Special Olympics Unified Bocce Team.
2007-2016
Tobin D. George
Lawn Care
I led teams in lawn mowing, landscaping, and snow removal, delivering top-notch property maintenance and creative landscaping solutions for residential and commercial clients. I also digitized work documents, managed social media and websites, and assisted in equipment repairs to enhance service efficiency and customer satisfaction.