Gov. Heineman Appoints David Sankey as New State Patrol Superintendent

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman today named Lt. Col. David Sankey of Lincoln to serve as the next Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. A 23 year veteran of the State Patrol, Sankey will replace retiring Col. Bryan Tuma and will assume command on March 1. “Lt. Col. Sankey has an extensive background in law enforcement,” Gov. Heineman said. “Dave Sankey has earned the trust and respect of his colleagues within the State Patrol and the law enforcement community.” A Lincoln native, Sankey, 47, was commissioned as a State Patrol officer on Dec. 11, 1987. For the past two years he has served as Assistant Superintendent, working closely with Col. Tuma to establish policies, operating standards and oversee the agency’s budget. He supervises the three State Patrol Majors leading the field services, investigative services and administrative services divisions, in addition to the State Patrol’s professional standards and executive protection divisions. He has served in a variety of command assignments including: Major of the investigative services division and Commander of the internal affairs and professional standards divisions. He began his career with the State Patrol working in field operations in Fremont with Troop A and specialized in accident reconstruction. He serves on the national Homeland Security Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and represents the State Patrol on the Crime Commission’s Police Standards Advisory Council and the Nebraska Supreme Court’s Minority Justice Committee. He is a former chairman of the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Executive Committee, and was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Nebraska Interstate Compact State Council for Adult Offenders. Over the years, Lt. Col. Sankey has worked closely with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and played a key role in coordinating response to statewide emergencies. Sankey said, “I have experienced firsthand the level of commitment and planning needed to lead this agency and I am extremely honored to accept Command of the Nebraska State Patrol. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the dedicated, professional men and women of the Nebraska State Patrol, as we work together to provide the highest level of service possible to the citizens of Nebraska.” He graduated from Kearney State College in 1986 with a degree in Criminal Justice. He is a 2003 graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, and completed the IACP Leadership in Police Organizations program in 2009. His salary is $107,700.