Columbia Borough Police Department Officer Frank Ember, III attended School in Elizabethtown, PA and at the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center where he received his Automotive Mechanics Certification. Officer Ember joined the United States Army Reserve while in his junior year of high school and started his career as a Combat Engineer, then transitioned to Military Police and found that it was in his blood to be a Police Officer. 

Frank served as a Deputy Sheriff for Lancaster County then moved on to the Veterans Affairs Administration, where he served as a Federal Police Officer. He has since been with Columbia Borough Police where he plans to finish his career. 

Frank said he has always been interested in law enforcement and that his whole family has been in law enforcement, including his father who continues to serve after 30 years.  Frank said his father has been a great mentor to him since he started working in law enforcement.  Franks Mother, Uncle, and Aunt have also served in law enforcement, in some capacity as well, and that he could not have made it to where he is without the support and guidance of his family through the years.

When asked what he likes about being a Police Officer in Columbia Borough, Frank said he likes the impact he can have on a smaller community.  He continued saying he likes seeing a very diverse community come together to support each other and the Police.  He noted that Columbia is a very active town and provides many opportunities to experience every aspect of Law Enforcement. He said, as an Officer, he rarely encounters people on their best day, most of the time it's probably their worst day, and he enjoys having the opportunity to help them through it. 

Frank is a firearms instructor, an active shooter response instructor, and a Bike Patrol Officer.  He is also part of the Police Officer Recruitment Team.  He has also had the opportunity to serve as a Counselor for the Lancaster County PA State Police Camp Cadets over the past six years and is on the Board of the County FOP and a member of a Peer Support Team. Frank says he has been fortunate to gain a lot of experience through his various roles in law enforcement and he is driven to become a Field Training Officer so he can play a key role in training the next generation of police officers.  Frank said he also has ambitions to become a K9 Officer.

Outside of work, Frank likes to go to the shooting range and gym whenever he is not spending time with his family.

When asked what he would tell someone considering a job in law enforcement, he said he would tell them the job is very rewarding but that there is a need to find a balance between family and work. He continued saying, this job is not for everyone, but that he encourages everyone to explore their potential and decide if it is or it isn’t for them. He recommends contacting your local Police Department to request to participate in a ride-along.