Sims sworn-in as new police chief of Lebanon City Police Department

Acting Lebanon City Police Chief Eric Sims said he became a police officer in 2006 to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. 

On Monday, the nearly 20-year officer of the city police force was formally sworn-in as chief in a ceremony at Lebanon City Hall in a moment that surely would have made his grandfather John Farley – who was a law enforcement officer in Hazelton – proud.

“When I was growing up, my grandfather was a police officer. As far back as I can remember, I watched him put on his uniform and knew that that’s what I wanted to do,” Sims told a crowd of about 75 attendees. “He was a pillar of strength, not just for his community, but especially for his family. As a child, I admired that he protected people from the bad guys. But as I grew older, I came to respect his honesty, integrity, work ethic, and desire to always do the right thing for the right reasons. I knew I wanted to be just like him.”

In a related move, Lt. Sean Buck was promoted to captain and also took the oath of office during the 30-minute ceremony, which included pictures with officials, families and remarks from Lebanon City Mayor Sherry Capello and the two newly promoted officers.

Capello said during her comments that, after Chief Bret Fisher’s retirement in April, she wanted to give the leadership team time in their roles before announcing the new chief. 

“I wanted to give our leadership team time to demonstrate their ability to meet the high standards that we expect and need from our chief, captain, and lieutenants. Providing in-house opportunities for advancement is important to me, as it gives our employees clear goals to work towards and it reinforces our shared commitment to growth and excellence,” Capello said. 

She added that they had “risen to the occasion” over the past six months.

“They’ve shown exceptional leadership and teamwork during a challenging period marked by staffing shortages and a major software and records management transition, all while maintaining the high level of service and professionalism my office and our community depend upon,” Capello said. “I’m proud of their dedication and accomplishments and I hope that you share in that pride as we welcome our new leadership team.”

Sims has been with the Lebanon Police Department for 19 years, starting as a patrol officer in 2006. Capello said Sims was assigned as a field training officer two years later, promoted to patrolman first class in January 2013, promoted to sergeant in January 2014, lieutenant in June 2021, and finally captain on Jan. 27, 2023.

“Although I didn’t hire you, chief, I sure did promote you,” Capello added.

From 2009 through 2024, Sims was also a member of the SWAT team, and a team leader in 2022 and 2023 and commander from 2023 and 2024. She noted that he was named the Lebanon Lodge’s City Officer of the Year in 2009.

She highlighted a case where two people were abducted from a residence in April 2011. Capello noted that had it not been for Sims’ involvement, the outcome may have been different.

“Chief Sims also received an award of accommodation from my office in February of 2019 for his actions as a supervisor (when) one of his officers under his command heard gunshots fired,” Capello said. “Due to Sims remaining calm and using organized methodology, he was able to direct officers while also personally being involved in a vehicle pursuit, a foot pursuit, recovery of discarded firearms, and apprehension of the suspects.”

Capello praised his actions during that call. 

“Throughout this stressful and dangerous situation, the former sergeant led his officers with confidence. Because of his preparedness and the trust he had built with his officers, they were prepared to perform at a superior level,” Capello said. “Our city benefited greatly because of the dedication and courage shown on that morning. And without his leadership and the individual effort of all officers involved, the incident could have gone much differently for all parties.”

With a number of his colleagues standing in the back of city council chambers and family and friends seated in the audience, Sims said many changes have occurred with the department over the past 20 years.  

“But one thing has remained constant, the Lebanon City Police Department is a first-class law enforcement agency that I have always been proud to be a part of and I’m deeply honored to be named as your leader,” Sims said. “You each bring to the table an impressive set of skills, not just in police work, but in community outreach as well.”

He highlighted one of his upcoming goals now that he officially is chief. 

“One of my goals for the department is to identify these strengths in each of you, and help you make the most of them,” said Sims. “When we all bring our individual skill sets to the department and make them work together as one, we will forge a department that will be both exceptional in the present and prepared for the future,” he added.

He also invoked an oft-made statement by Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin that “the standard is the standard.”

“So what does that mean? The standard is the standard. It’s a phrase meaning there is one high, unwavering level of performance and excellence that is expected from everyone, regardless of circumstances,” Sims said. “It emphasizes accountability, consistency, and a refusal to make excuses or cut corners, signifying that the standard for performance remains whether the task is difficult or easy, no matter the rank. I have no doubt that we as the Lebanon City Police Department will be able to uphold this together as a team.”

Capello said Buck has been with the Lebanon Police Department for 14 years, starting as a patrol officer in 2011. He volunteered for the K-9 unit from October 2013 until October 2022, when K-9 Apollo retired from duty. She added that he’s been a field training officer for eight years.

Buck was promoted to a patrol officer first class in June 2021, then a sergeant in February 2023, and lieutenant of detectives in January 2024.

He received the 2013, 2016, and 2017 Outstanding Officer of the Year awards as voted by his peers and he was the lodge’s City Officer of the Year in 2017.

Buck made brief remarks, thanking his co-workers and those individuals who have supported his career. 

“I just wanna take this chance, if there’s an opportunity to tell you that personally, I have looked up to many of you,” Buck said “I’ve designed my career and strived to be as good as you guys are as cops, chiefs, lieutenants, former sergeants that are all here in this room. It really means a lot that you guys are here to show support for the chief and I. Thank you so much for that. To the men and women of Lebanon City Police Department, it’s an honor to be able to call myself your captain. … My door will always be open and I look forward to working with the chief side-by- side to continue to make this a great place to work.”

Capello told LebTown that the chief has command of just over 40 officers in the city’s police department.