PRINTER'S NO. 2600
No. 207 Session of 1985
INTRODUCED BY DEAL, IRVIS, MANDERINO, CLARK, PISTELLA,
LEVDANSKY, JOSEPHS, CARN, EVANS, PRESTON, WAMBACH AND FATTAH,
DECEMBER 3, 1985
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, DECEMBER 4, 1985
A RESOLUTION
1 Establishing a special committee to investigate the Pennsylvania
2 State Police.
3 WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania State Police is the chief law
4 enforcement agency for this Commonwealth, with powers extending
5 throughout all political subdivisions of this Commonwealth; and
6 WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania State Police force's unique
7 position as this Commonwealth's chief law enforcement agency
8 requires that the department conduct its operation and
9 administration in a manner which is above public reproach; and
10 WHEREAS, The integrity of the Pennsylvania State Police force
11 has been damaged by the following events and allegations:
12 (1) An unacceptable number of members of the force have
13 been charged with serious crimes.
14 (2) Lawsuits have been filed against the force by
15 members or other employees of the force or other citizens of
16 this Commonwealth alleging that their civil rights have been
17 violated by members of the force.
1 (3) Some members of the force have been guilty of
2 misconduct, including the commission of crimes, and no
3 criminal charges were ever filed nor any other form of
4 internal discipline imposed, resulting in the perception,
5 both within and without the force, of uneven imposition of
6 discipline.
7 (4) Political interference in the operation of this
8 force has also been alleged; and
9 WHEREAS, Such conduct within the Pennsylvania State Police
10 force will not be tolerated by the citizens of this
11 Commonwealth. It is essential that the truth of such events and
12 allegations be established; therefore be it
13 RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives
14 appoint a special committee to investigate all events and
15 allegations involving the Pennsylvania State Police relating to
16 the causes for the:
17 (1) Large number of members of the force being charged
18 with serious crimes.
19 (2) Circumstances surrounding the lawsuits against the
20 force alleging the violation of civil rights of persons by
21 members of the force.
22 (3) Allegations that the internal discipline of the
23 force is unevenly imposed and that certain misconduct by
24 members of the force occurred, including the commission of
25 crimes without any discipline being imposed.
26 (4) Allegations of political interference in the
27 operation of the force.
28 The committee shall consist of seven members, four from the
29 majority party and three from the minority party; and be it
30 further
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1 RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take
2 testimony and make its investigations at such places as it deems
3 necessary in this Commonwealth. It may issue subpoenas under the
4 hand and seal of its chairman commanding any person to appear
5 before the committee and to answer questions touching matters
6 properly being inquired into by the committee and to produce
7 such books, papers, records and documents as the committee deems
8 necessary. The subpoenas may be served upon any person and shall
9 have the same effect as subpoenas issued out of the courts of
10 this Commonwealth. Any person who willfully neglects or refuses
11 to testify before the committee or to produce any books, papers,
12 records or documents shall be subject to the penalties provided
13 by the laws of this Commonwealth in such case. Each member of
14 the committee shall have power to administer oaths and
15 affirmations to witnesses appearing before the committee; and be
16 it further
17 RESOLVED, That the committee is authorized to hire such staff
18 and assistants as it deems necessary and the fees and expenses
19 therefor and the fees and expenses incurred by the committee
20 shall be paid from accounts under the control of the Chief
21 Clerk, not to exceed $50,000; and be it further
22 RESOLVED, That all expenditures from the $50,000 shall be
23 authorized by a majority vote of the committee, and the chairman
24 shall make a monthly report of all such expenditures to each
25 member of the committee; and be it further
26 RESOLVED, That the committee shall report its findings to the
27 House of Representatives for its consideration as soon as
28 possible.
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