Retired Cecil police officer running for district judge
A Lawrence resident who spent 16 years on the Cecil Township police force and retired to become a contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense and the State Department plans to run for magisterial district judge.
Mike Philips, 51, plans to cross-file in the May 19 primary on both the Democratic and Republican ballots in Cecil, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson townships and McDonald Borough.
Philips now works at International Maritime Security Network of Canonsburg training Department of Defense Merchant Marines in self-defense and small arms tactics.
A graduate of Shaler Area High School, Philips has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Beaver County Community College.
Philips began working as a patrolman for Cecil Township, where he said he “had to be calm and make good decisions under pressure.” He was later promoted to detective, where he investigated crimes and testified in court to convict perpetrators.
After retiring from the police department, Philips worked alongside members the U.S. military for six years with the Department of Defense and State Department as a contractor training members of police departments in Iraq. In 2012, he also worked for six months in a similar capacity in Afghanistan.
“This was truly a life-changing experience teaching the Iraqi people a Democratic way of policing,” Philips said in a news release. “These people want what every American has, freedom, and the right to be safe and secure in their country.”
Philips promised, if elected, to make the district judgeship his full-time job, dedicating the time and resources that the job requires. He also plans to keep his office open during evenings so people they don’t have to take time off of work to have their day in court.
In 1996, he was certified by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to hold the office of district judge. He has also been certified by the Department of Justice as an instructor.
Philips’ wife is Michelle “Shelly” Passieu-Philips. He has a grown daughter, also named Michelle.
Philips joins a field of candidates that includes Jesse White and Traci McDonald-Kemp. The magisterial office has been vacant since Valarie Costanzo took the oath of office in January 2014 as a Washington County Court judge.