On Saturday, February 19, 2023, officers from the Cumberland County Drug Task Force arrested Justin Thomas Taylor, age 28, for attempting to possess a controlled substance (cocaine) and the possession of drug paraphernalia.  Taylor is an officer with the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.  His arrest came as part of a drug enforcement operation being run jointly by the Cumberland County and Dauphin County Drug Task Forces.

Taylor came to the attention of Task Force Officers when they executed a search warrant February 16, 2023, in Cumberland County.  Task Force Officers learned that a police officer may be a customer of the person they were investigating for the sale of illegal drugs.  This set-in motion an investigation that culminated on February 19, 2023, where Taylor showed up at a designated time and place to purchase cocaine.  Taylor was arrested after taking possession of the substance he believed to be cocaine.

“It is extremely disappointing anytime we encounter an officer who is breaking the law.  It is a complete betrayal by the officer of the trust the public placed in him to uphold the law, not break it.  Personally, I remember teaching this officer when he was brand new at the police academy.  I always stress when teaching new officers, the importance of holding themselves and fellow officers to high ethical standards.” - Cumberland County District Attorney Seán M. McCormack 

McCormack also credited the fine work of task force officers.  "I commend the officers of the Drug Task Force who conducted this investigation to ensure that this officer was quickly identified and arrested."   Taylor is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 6, 2023, before the Honorable Magisterial District Judge Kathryn H. Silcox.  

NOTE: Justin Taylor is presumed to be innocent at this time and remains so unless or until he is convicted in a court of law.