UPT Services Inc.

10/15/2026

08/21/2026

FROM PTA TO POPO 👮‍♂️💪

Some stories are just worth sharing.

At 58 years young, one of my longtime physical therapy assistants made a decision most people would never even consider: he left behind a career in physical therapy and answered a completely different calling — to become a Philadelphia Police Officer.

But for anyone who knows him, the career change really isn’t as surprising as it sounds. His entire life has been about service.

Before he ever put on a police uniform, I had the privilege of watching firsthand the kind of person and clinician he is. He took care of my own mother as her physical therapist, and there are very few people I would have trusted with that responsibility.

Over the years, I’ve watched him treat patients with patience, compassion, dignity and genuine kindness. He is easily one of the most honorable and humble people I have ever met — the type of person who does the right thing when nobody is watching and never needs recognition for doing it.

And now, at an age when many people are thinking about slowing down, he decided to challenge himself, start over, go through the academy and dedicate the next chapter of his life to serving the City of Philadelphia.

Today, I had the privilege of watching him put on that uniform and begin that chapter.

I couldn’t be more proud of you, brother.

From caring for people in their homes as a PTA to protecting the people of Philadelphia as a POPO — the uniform may have changed, but the mission never did.

Service. Compassion. Integrity.

Congratulations, Carmen J. Brancato, PTA, POPO 💙👮‍♂️

Philadelphia gained one of the good ones.