PRINTER'S NO. 193
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
20
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY HUGHES, SCHWANK, FONTANA, COSTA AND KEARNEY,
JANUARY 31, 2023
REFERRED TO LAW AND JUSTICE, JANUARY 31, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Establishing a task force on law enforcement policies and
procedures used in response to large-scale demonstrations,
protests and other acts of civil disobedience.
WHEREAS, The United States is currently engaged in a national
debate on law enforcement policies and practices; and
WHEREAS, High-profile incidents of use of force by law
enforcement have led to numerous demonstrations and protests in
recent months; and
WHEREAS, Several of these demonstrations and protests have
turned violent; and
WHEREAS, These violent demonstrations and protests have
resulted in millions of dollars in property damage, numerous
arrests, physical injuries and, in some cases, death; and
WHEREAS, Law enforcement responses to large-scale but
otherwise peaceful acts of civil disobedience have the potential
to escalate already charged atmospheres; and
WHEREAS, The people of this Commonwealth have a
constitutional right to assemble peacefully; and
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WHEREAS, Law enforcement has a duty and responsibility to
protect the general public from acts of violence, including
riots and militant protests; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth has an obligation to assist law
enforcement in developing best practices to ensure that large-
scale demonstrations do not become violent; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate establish a task force on law
enforcement policies and procedures for responding to large-
scale demonstrations; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force be comprised of the following
members:
(1) Two members of the Senate, one appointed by the
President pro tempore of the Senate and one appointed by the
Minority Leader of the Senate.
(2) The Chairman of the Pennsylvania Emergency
Management Council, or a designee.
(3) The Commissioner of Pennsylvania State Police, or a
designee.
(4) The Attorney General of the Commonwealth, or a
designee.
(5) The Adjutant General of the Commonwealth, or a
designee.
(6) The Superintendent of the Pennsylvania Capitol
Police Department, or a designee.
(7) The mayor of a city of the first class, or a
designee.
(8) The mayor of a city of the second class, or a
designee.
(9) The Police Commissioner of a city of the first
class, or a designee.
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(10) The Chief of Police of a city of the second class,
or a designee;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force be comprised of 10 members
appointed by the Governor as follows:
(1) One member representing the Pennsylvania League of
Cities.
(2) One member representing The County Commissioners
Association of Pennsylvania.
(3) Two incumbent mayors of a city of the third class.
(4) One incumbent chief of police of the police
department of a city of the third class.
(5) One chief of police of a university or campus police
department.
(6) One current or former Federal law enforcement
officer with experience in handling protests and other forms
of civil disobedience.
(7) One current or former member of the United States
Department of Justice Civil Rights Division with experience
in investigating, litigating or prosecuting claims of civil
rights violations.
(8) Two attorneys or legal educators specializing in the
field of civil rights or constitutional law;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force direct the Joint State
Government Commission to establish an advisory committee
consisting of the following members:
(1) Two individuals representing the Pennsylvania
Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People to be selected by the Joint State Government
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Commission, upon the recommendation of the governing body of
the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People.
(2) Two individuals representing the Pennsylvania
Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union to be selected
by the Joint State Government Commission, upon the
recommendation of the governing body of the Pennsylvania
Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
(3) Two individuals representing Pennsylvania Chapters
of the National Lawyers Guild to be selected by the Joint
State Government Commission, upon the recommendation of the
governing body of the National Lawyers Guild.
(4) One individual representing the Pennsylvania
District Attorneys Association to be selected by the Joint
State Government Commission, upon the recommendation of the
governing body of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys
Association.
(5) One individual representing the Pennsylvania State
Troopers Association to be selected by the Joint State
Government Commission, upon the recommendation of the
governing body of the Pennsylvania State Troopers
Association.
(6) One individual representing the Pennsylvania Chiefs
of Police Association to be selected by the Joint State
Government Commission, upon the recommendation of the
governing body of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police
Association.
(7) One individual representing the Pennsylvania
Sheriffs' Association to be selected by the Joint State
Government Commission, upon the recommendation of the
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governing body of the Pennsylvania Sheriffs' Association;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Emergency
Management Council serve as chairperson of the advisory
committee; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, working
with the task force and the advisory committee, conduct a
thorough and comprehensive study of existing State and local law
enforcement policies and procedures for responding to acts of
civil disobedience, including training and response programs,
crowd control tactics, the use of less-than-lethal force, the
issues set forth in this resolution and other related issues as
determined by the Joint State Government Commission; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, working
with the task force and the advisory committee, review the
following to identify the best law enforcement practices for
responding to acts of civil disobedience and the causes of
escalation from peaceful demonstration to violent protest and
develop recommendations best suited for law enforcement agencies
in this Commonwealth:
(1) Proposals and policies of other states.
(2) Policies currently in place at law enforcement
agencies in this Commonwealth and other states.
(3) Other resources on the issues of civil disobedience
and law enforcement practices;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission
establish a process by which interested members of the public
can make suggestions and offer input to the task force; and be
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it further
RESOLVED, That the task force recommend changes to State law,
practices, policies and procedures relating to law enforcement
responses to acts of civil disobedience that are necessary to
ensure the rights and safety of demonstrators, law enforcement
and the general public; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
report of the task force's findings and recommendations to the
Senate within 12 months of the adoption of this resolution.
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