Gov. Heineman Appoints Bryan Tuma
New State Patrol Superintendent

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman has named Maj. Bryan Tuma of Lincoln, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. A 25-year veteran of the State Patrol, Tuma will replace retiring Col. Tom Nesbitt and will assume command on June 4.

“There’s not a single law enforcement professional inside or outside the State Patrol who doesn’t respect Bryan Tuma,” Gov. Heineman said. “I choose him because of his strong leadership abilities and his commitment to moving the State Patrol forward. I’ve asked Major Tuma to execute his vision for the State Patrol that emphasizes a professional chain of command.”

A native of Columbus, Tuma was commissioned on November 2, 1979. He has served in a variety of command assignments including director of training, and Troop Area Commander in the Field Services Division at Troop C Headquarters in Grand Island.

For the past eight years, he has managed the Patrol’s Administrative Services Division, a role which has given him a direct involvement with homeland security and domestic-preparedness issues for the state. Tuma serves on the Governor’s Leadership Group on Terrorism, and currently serves as the State Patrol’s point of contact on the coordination of homeland security efforts with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.

Tuma said, “I am excited to have the opportunity to continue to serve the Nebraska State Patrol as the Superintendent. I appreciate the opportunity afforded me by Governor Heineman, and look forward to the challenge of addressing issues confronting our agency, providing leadership and positioning the Patrol for the future. I will continue to work on the many important issues impacting Nebraska’s law enforcement community.”

Tuma, 49, is a 1977 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a major in Criminal Justice. He also is a 1993 graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, State and Provincial Police. His salary will be $92,000.

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