Pottstown Native Promoted to State Police Captain

Looking back, Kathy-Jo Winterbottom never planned to advance through the ranks. She was thrilled to earn a spot as a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper.

That was 24 years ago.

Today, Winterbottom is a PSP captain and assigned as commanding officer of Troop T, Highspire, which covers the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

She’s also a  2010 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

“I wanted to become a trooper . . . since my freshman year in college,” she said on Wednesday. “Never . . . did I think I’d become a captain.”

State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan promoted Winterbottom, a 1981 Pottsgrove High School graduate and Pottstown resident.

Winterbottom, 48, received a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice and sociology from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1985 and enlisted in the State Police in 1987. 

After training at the State Police Academy in Hershey, she was assigned to Troop J, Embreeville.

She also served at stations in Fogelsville, Swiftwater and with the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement.  

She was promoted to corporal in 1996, sergeant in 2004 and lieutenant in 2008.

She later served as Central Section commander of the Internal Affairs Division of the State Police Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards.

"It's important for the state police to investigate complaints against department personnel and maintain the integrity of the state police," she said.

Winterbottom said she's had a wonderful career.

“I would tell someone to join the State Police in a quick minute,” she said.

“I’ve always looked for different challenges within the department,” Winterbottom said. “You work hard and you get rewarded for that.”

STAYING SAFE

  Capt. Winterbottom reminds drivers:

• Don’t use cell phones while driving.

• Don’t drink and drive.

• Wear a seatbelt.