Aaron A. Harnish served with the Lancaster City Bureau of Police (PA) for over 23 years. He spent the majority of his career assigned to the Criminal Investigative Division, where he has investigated more than 1,000 sex crime and child abuse cases. He had the privilege of serving as the lead investigator for five criminal homicides, the outcome of which were convictions at trial or guilty pleas.
For approximately 11 years, Mr. Harnish performed or consulted on hundreds of background investigations. He spearheaded the police candidate physical agility test, written test, and oral interview hiring process. He also led in-person recruitment and online marketing efforts for police and civilian applicants, which resulted in a significant increase in the number of applicants.
Mr. Harnish observed early in his career the effects of stress, emotional instability, and police suicide on officers and their families. He learned that good physical and emotional health are essential for maintaining a high level of professional performance. He embraced a set of tactics and methods, that he now teaches, to improve public safety members’ lives at home and work.
Mr. Harnish holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. A former adjunct professor of Criminal Justice at several colleges, Mr. Harnish brings real-life experiences to the classroom. He has conducted numerous presentations at professional and academic conferences across the United States, covering a range of criminal justice-related topics. He has trained law enforcement officers nationally since 2018.
