PRINTER'S NO. 3917
No. 331 Session of 1986
INTRODUCED BY RYAN, TRELLO, GALLEN, PETRONE, CESSAR, FRYER,
WOGAN, O'BRIEN, STEVENS, MRKONIC, HONAMAN AND JACKSON,
JULY 1, 1986
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, JULY 29, 1986
A RESOLUTION
1 Amending House Resolution No. 207, adopted December 11, 1985,
2 entitled "A resolution establishing a special committee to
3 investigate the Pennsylvania State Police," further providing
4 for the termination of and the filing of a report by the
5 special committee.
6 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives on December 11, 1985,
7 adopted House Resolution No. 207, establishing a special
8 committee to investigate the Pennsylvania State Police; and
9 WHEREAS, The special committee has been pursuing its
10 investigation of the Pennsylvania State Police in accordance
11 with the provisions of House Resolution No. 207 and has come to
12 a point in its investigation where a termination of its
13 existence and a report of its findings be made at a certain
14 date; therefore be it
15 RESOLVED, That House Resolution No. 207, adopted December 11,
16 1985, be amended to read:
17 WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania State Police is the chief law
18 enforcement agency for this Commonwealth, with powers extending
19 throughout all political subdivisions of this Commonwealth; and
1 WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania State Police force's unique
2 position as this Commonwealth's chief law enforcement agency
3 requires that the department conduct its operation and
4 administration in a manner which is above public reproach; and
5 WHEREAS, The integrity of the Pennsylvania State Police force
6 has been damaged by the following events and allegations:
7 (1) An unacceptable number of members of the force have
8 been charged with serious crimes.
9 (2) Lawsuits have been filed against the force by
10 members or other employees of the force or other citizens of
11 this Commonwealth alleging that their civil rights have been
12 violated by members of the force.
13 (3) Some members of the force have been guilty of
14 misconduct, including the commission of crimes, and no
15 criminal charges were ever filed nor any other form of
16 internal discipline imposed, resulting in the perception,
17 both within and without the force, of uneven imposition of
18 discipline.
19 (4) Political interference in the operation of this
20 force has also been alleged; and
21 WHEREAS, Such conduct within the Pennsylvania State Police
22 force will not be tolerated by the citizens of this
23 Commonwealth. It is essential that the truth of such events and
24 allegations be established; and
25 WHEREAS, A quota system exists in the Pennsylvania State
26 Police force which grants preferences to minority groups in
27 hirings and promotions; and
28 WHEREAS, This affirmative action policy appears to constitute
29 reverse discrimination against white persons who seek to be
30 hired and promoted in the Pennsylvania State Police force; and
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1 WHEREAS, An investigation should be made as to whether this
2 quota system should be eliminated so that hirings and promotions
3 in the force can return to a system of merit and qualifications
4 without regard to racial background; and
5 WHEREAS, Morale problems have arisen in the force by reason
6 of qualified white troopers being passed over for promotion
7 because of racial quotas; therefore be it
8 RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives
9 appoint a special committee to investigate all events and
10 allegations involving the Pennsylvania State Police relating to
11 the causes for the:
12 (1) Large number of members of the force being charged
13 with serious crimes.
14 (2) Circumstances surrounding the lawsuits against the
15 force alleging the violation of civil rights of persons by
16 members of the force.
17 (3) Allegations that the internal discipline of the
18 force is unevenly imposed and that certain misconduct by
19 members of the force occurred, including the commission of
20 crimes without any discipline being imposed.
21 (4) Allegations of political interference in the
22 operation of the force.
23 The committee shall consist of seven members, four from the
24 majority party and three from the minority party; and be it
25 further
26 RESOLVED, That the committee so appointed shall investigate
27 the quota system which exists in the force under which
28 preferences are given to minority groups in hirings and
29 promotions; whether this constitutes reverse discrimination
30 against white applicants and troopers; and whether this is
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1 keeping well qualified persons off the force and causing morale
2 problems within the force; and be it further
3 RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take
4 testimony and make its investigations at such places as it deems
5 necessary in this Commonwealth. It may issue subpoenas under the
6 hand and seal of its chairman commanding any person to appear
7 before the committee and to answer questions touching matters
8 properly being inquired into by the committee and to produce
9 such books, papers, records and documents as the committee deems
10 necessary. The subpoenas may be served upon any person and shall
11 have the same effect as subpoenas issued out of the courts of
12 this Commonwealth. Any person who willfully neglects or refuses
13 to testify before the committee or to produce any books, papers,
14 records or documents shall be subject to the penalties provided
15 by the laws of this Commonwealth in such case. Each member of
16 the committee shall have power to administer oaths and
17 affirmations to witnesses appearing before the committee; and be
18 it further
19 RESOLVED, That the committee is authorized to hire such staff
20 and assistants as it deems necessary and the fees and expenses
21 therefor and the fees and expenses incurred by the committee
22 shall be paid from accounts under the control of the Chief
23 Clerk, not to exceed $50,000; and be it further
24 RESOLVED, That all expenditures from the $50,000 shall be
25 authorized by a majority vote of the committee, and the chairman
26 shall make a monthly report of all such expenditures to each
27 member of the committee; and be it further
28 RESOLVED, That the committee shall cease to hold hearings and
29 cease its investigation by July 3 and shall terminate its
30 existence and report its findings to the House of
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1 Representatives for its consideration [as soon as possible] on
2 or before August 15, 1986.
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