Phoenixville Names New Police Chief As Sjostrom Retires

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Phoenixville's longtime Chief of Police will retire at the end of the year and his seat will be filled by a former Chester County Drug Task Force and SWAT team member.

This week Phoenixville Police Department announced the appointment of Lt. Brian Marshall as Chief of Police in Chief Thomas Sjostrom's stead. Sjostrom has served Phoenixville for 32 years before announcing his retirement.

Phoenixville Police Chief Brian Marshall began his career with the Phoenixville Police Department in March 1988 as a police officer in the patrol division.

During his career, he specialized in community policing, field training, and criminal investigations.

Chief Marshall was also a member of the Chester County Drug Task Force and is a former School Resource Officer and Crisis Negotiator with the Chester County SWAT team. Marshall graduated from the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development program held at Princeton University.

Marshall was promoted to the ranks of Corporal in 1997, Sergeant in 2001, and Lieutenant in 2017. He is a 2019 graduate of the FBI National Academy Command School session #278 held in Quantico, VA.

He earned both his Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and Masters of Science Degree in Public Safety Administration from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

Retiring Chief Thomas Sjostrom, who is departing at the end of the year after 32 years of service said, "Marshall's experience and strong leadership will continue to guide the police department in the right direction as the new Chief of Police. His dedication and commitment of service will not only benefit the department but the entire Phoenixville community.”

Phoenixville Mayor Peter Urscheler told Patch, "I've been so fortunate to have Brian Marshall as our Phoenixville Police Department Lieutenant since I became Mayor in 2018. Lieutenant Marshall brings a wealth of outside as well as institutional knowledge and experience to our Department and I know he will make an extraordinary Chief of Police."

Urscheler said Marshall has helped guide the community through its revitalization and is well poised to build upon Phoenixville's commitment to excellence in Community Policing.

The Mayor added, "I have always admired his dedication to Phoenixville and community activism which will serve him well in years to come as he continues our Department's commitment to exceptional Community Policing."

"I'm also extremely grateful to our current Chief, Thomas Sjostrom," Urscheler said. "Although it will not be the same without him, through his leadership he has helped us to develop a strong professional Department focused on serving and protecting the people of our community. I am confident that Lieutenant Marshall will continue to build upon this great legacy.”

Urscheler said, "I, along with the rest of the Borough Council, look forward to working with Lt. Marshall in his new role as Police Chief."

New Police Officers Sworn In

The newest members of the Phoenixville Police Department were sworn in this week by Urscheler. Officers Michael Kopil and Nilda Jimenez took their oath of office in the Oct. 12 Borough Council meeting.

Kopil was born in Levittown and was raised in Mohnton, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Governor Mifflin High School and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Kopil has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Alvernia University. He graduated from the Reading Police Academy in 2014. Prior to joining the Phoenixville Police Department, Kopil was employed as a police officer with the Pennsylvania State Capitol Police Department and the Caln Township Police Department.

Jimenez was born in Long Beach, California and her family relocated to Mexico when she was very young. Her family moved to Yakima, Washington when she was a teenager and she graduated from Toppenish High School. Jimenez enlisted in the United States Army National Guard and has been on active duty since 2012. She attended Philadelphia Community College and graduated from the Philadelphia Police Academy in 2017. Prior to joining the Phoenixville Police Department, Jimenez was employed as a police officer with the Philadelphia Police Department.