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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 8, 2017 11:10 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Donald C. White |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Affirm the Authority of Sheriffs |
I plan to introduce legislation that would amend Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (Judicial Code) to vest sheriffs and deputy sheriffs with the same authority to enforce the laws of the Commonwealth as currently possessed by municipal police officers. For a number of years and through various court cases, the authority, powers and duties of the sheriffs and deputy sheriffs of Pennsylvania have been questioned and challenged. While sheriffs have had broader law enforcement authority in the past, a state Supreme Court case ruled that sheriffs and deputy sheriffs did not hold law enforcement or investigative power because their duties were not clearly defined in state law. My proposal would reaffirm the authority of sheriffs to perform vital law enforcement functions (that many have performed in the past), including the ability to fight drugs and crimes in our communities. This proposal is not an effort to expand the Sheriffs responsibility or authority, but to provide a statutory definition that clarifies the full duties and the authority the sheriff has under Common Law. At a time when state and municipal police departments are underfunded, I believe defining the law regarding sheriffs and deputy sheriffs would allow Pennsylvania to fully utilize a valuable resource in fighting drugs and crimes in our communities. Please join me in cosponsoring a bill that will allow nearly 2500 deputy sheriffs to full participate in law enforcement activities in our communities. If you have any questions, please contact Anne Achenbach, of my staff, at 787-4404 or at aachenbach@pasen.gov. |