Columbia Borough Officer Jack Kopp promoted to Corporal

Lieutenant (soon to be Chief) Holly Arndt honored the promotion of Corporal Jack Kopp at Tuesday's Columbia Borough Council meeting. 

The promotion of Officer Jack Kopp to the rank of Corporal was recognized during the Columbia Borough Council meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The promotion was presented by Lieutenant Holly Arndt, who is set to assume the role of Chief of Police on May 1.

Corporal Kopp, who came to Columbia from the Harrisburg area, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a focus in Criminology, graduating with honors from Millersville University in 2022. He also minored in Psychology. Before joining the department, he briefly worked for the Lebanon County District Attorney's Office as a booking agent.

Kopp began his tenure with the Columbia Borough Police Department in December 2022 and attended the 122nd HACC Municipal Police Academy, where he graduated near the top of his class. He was formally sworn in as an officer on March 11, 2025, and was recognized as the department's Employee of the Month for December 2024.

Since joining the force, Corporal Kopp has become a certified bike officer, a certified field training officer, and serves as the department's community anti-threat officer. He has also received specialized training in crime scene investigation and evidence collection, skills he regularly uses in major incidents in the borough.

In her remarks, Lieutenant Arndt praised Kopp's development as both an officer and a leader. "Throughout his tenure with the Columbia Borough Police Department, Corporal Kopp has demonstrated strong work ethic, sound judgment, and a commitment to the community we serve," she said. "Whether handling calls, supporting fellow officers, or stepping up in challenging situations, he has proven himself to be a dependable and professional leader."

Arndt, who helped train Kopp at the police academy, said, "The rank of corporal carries a new responsibility — it's a transition from being solely responsible for your own work to helping guide others, setting the tone on a shift, and mentoring younger, or older, officers, and leading by example."

She remarked to Kopp: "Wear the stripes with pride. Stay grounded and continue to lead the way you always have — with integrity, professionalism, and respect. Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge."