PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 3334 PRINTER'S NO. 3573
No. 2538 Session of 1978
INTRODUCED BY MESSRS. DOYLE, STAPLETON, O'KEEFE, LYNCH, PRATT, MRS. TAYLOR, MESSRS. GARZIA AND DiCARLO, JUNE 5, 1978
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, SEPTEMBER 11, 1978
AN ACT 1 Relating to the office of constable. <-- 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS <-- 3 Chapter 1. Preliminary Provisions 4 Section 101. Short title. 5 Section 102. Application. 6 Section 103. Definitions. 7 Chapter 2. Selection and Qualifications 8 Section 201. Election. 9 Section 202. Qualifications for office. 10 Section 203. Physical and mental examination. 11 Section 204. Disqualification and removal from office. 12 Section 205. Vacancies. 13 Chapter 3. Powers and Duties 14 Section 301. Service of process. 15 Section 302. Police powers in certain municipalities. 16 Section 303. Transportation of prisoners and mental 17 patients.
1 Section 304. Protection of district justice. 2 Section 305. Election day powers. 3 Section 306. Acceptance of security and bail. 4 Section 307. Unlawful acts relative to constables. 5 Section 308. Recovery of certain vehicle registrations and 6 licenses. 7 Chapter 4. Service of Process 8 Section 401. General power to serve process. 9 Section 402. Supreme Court to promulgate rules. 10 Section 403. Service of civil and administrative process. 11 Section 404. Service of criminal process. 12 Chapter 5. Compatible and Incompatible Offices and Activities 13 Section 501. Compatible activities. 14 Section 502. Incompatible offices and activities. 15 Chapter 6. Deputy Constables 16 Section 601. Appointment. 17 Section 602. Qualifications. 18 Section 603. Powers and duties. 19 Section 604. Special deputy constables for election. 20 Chapter 7. Administrative Provisions 21 Section 701. Office of Constable Administrator. 22 Section 702. Local administration. 23 Section 703. Priority of constable business. 24 Section 704. Policies and procedures relating to fees. 25 Section 705. Records. 26 Section 706. Registration and identification cards. 27 Section 707. Uniforms. 28 Chapter 8. Education 29 Section 801. Constables Education Board. 30 Section 802. Course of instruction. 19780H2538B3573 - 2 -
1 Section 803. Rules and regulations. 2 Section 804. Completion of course. 3 Chapter 9. Financial Provisions 4 Section 901. Compensation of constables. 5 Section 902. Compensation of deputies. 6 Section 903. Form of payment. 7 Section 904. Fees for specific services. 8 Section 905. Additional hourly compensation. 9 Section 906. Payment for travel. 10 Section 907. Multiple service of process. 11 Section 908. Services performed by more than one constable. 12 Section 909. Service of process by mail. 13 Chapter 10. Miscellaneous Provisions 14 Section 1001. Repeals. 15 Section 1002. Effective date and transitional provisions. 16 AMENDING TITLE 42 (JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE), ADDING <-- 17 PROVISIONS RELATING TO CONSTABLES AND WARRANT OFFICERS AND 18 MAKING CERTAIN REPEALS. 19 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 20 hereby enacts as follows: 21 CHAPTER 1 <-- 22 PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS 23 Section 101. Short title. 24 This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Constables 25 Act." 26 Section 102. Application. 27 This act shall apply throughout the Commonwealth except in 28 the first judicial district. 29 Section 103. Definitions. 30 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall 19780H2538B3573 - 3 -
1 have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the 2 meanings given to them in this section: 3 "Constable." A constable elected or appointed pursuant to 4 this act. 5 "Magisterial district." A magisterial district established 6 pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. §1501 et seq. 7 CHAPTER 2 8 SELECTION AND QUALIFICATIONS 9 Section 201. Election. 10 There shall be one constable elected for a term of six years 11 for each magisterial district, 12 Section 202. Qualifications for office. 13 Each candidate for the office of constable shall be at least 14 18 years of age, shall be a resident of the magisterial 15 district, and shall have met the educational qualifications set 16 forth in Chapter 8. 17 Section 203. Physical and mental examination. 18 Every constable elected pursuant to this act shall be 19 required to pass a physical and mental examination prior to 20 receiving his commission. The standards for such examination 21 shall be set by the Constable Administrator. 22 Section 204. Disqualification and removal from office. 23 (a) Any person convicted of a felony shall be disqualified 24 from seeking or holding the office of constable. 25 (b) Any constable convicted of a felony while in office 26 shall be suspended from his duties upon initial conviction. 27 After any and all appeals are finally exhausted, the suspension 28 shall result in immediate removal from office if the conviction 29 stands and the resulting vacancy shall be filled pursuant to 30 section 205. If the constable is acquitted, the suspension shall 19780H2538B3573 - 4 -
1 be lifted. 2 Section 205. Vacancies. 3 If the office of constable becomes vacant for any reason, the 4 president judge of the judicial district in which the vacancy 5 exists shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy 6 giving first consideration to deputies in the district. The 7 person so appointed shall hold office until the first Monday in 8 January after the municipal election occurring more than 60 days 9 after the vacancy first occurs, at which election an eligible 10 person shall be elected for the unexpired term. 11 CHAPTER 3 12 POWERS AND DUTIES 13 Section 301. Service of process. 14 Constables shall have the power and duty to serve and execute 15 civil, criminal and administrative process pursuant to the 16 provisions of Chapter 4. 17 Section 302. Police powers in certain municipalities. 18 (a) Any municipality that has no organized municipal police 19 force may formally appoint as a police officer the appropriate 20 constable or constables as otherwise provided by law. When a 21 constable is acting pursuant to such appointment, he shall have 22 all the powers and be subject to the same restraints as a 23 policeman would have in the municipality if it had an organized 24 police force. 25 (b) No constable shall perform police duties pursuant to 26 this section unless such constable has been certified pursuant 27 to the act of June 18, 1974 (P.L.359, No.140), referred to as 28 the Municipal Police Education and Training Law. 29 Section 303. Transportation of prisoners and mental patients. 30 Constables shall have the authority when directed by a 19780H2538B3573 - 5 -
1 district justice or a court to transport prisoners and mental 2 patients. 3 Section 304. Protection of district justice. 4 Upon the request of and the showing of just cause by the 5 district justice in whose magisterial district the constable 6 serves and subject to the approval of the president judge of the 7 judicial district, a constable shall provide personal protection 8 to the district justice while the district justice is performing 9 his duties. 10 Section 305. Election day powers. 11 Constables shall have the powers and duties imposed upon them 12 by the election laws of this Commonwealth. 13 Section 306. Acceptance of security and bail. 14 A constable is authorized to accept security or bail for a 15 defendant's appearance before a district justice in summary 16 cases. 17 Section 307. Unlawful acts relative to constables. 18 Any person who knowingly, willfully and forcibly obstructs, 19 resists or opposes any constable in serving or attempting to 20 serve or execute any legal process or order; or in making a 21 lawful arrest with or without a warrant; or assaults any duly 22 authorized constable, in serving or executing any such legal 23 process or order or because of having served or executed the 24 same; or rescues another in legal custody; or whoever being 25 required by any constable, neglects or refuses to assist him in 26 the execution of his office in any criminal case; or in the 27 preservation of the peace, or in apprehending and securing any 28 person for a breach of the peace, shall be guilty of a 29 misdemeanor of the third degree and shall be subject to arrest 30 on view by a constable or other authorized peace officer. 19780H2538B3573 - 6 -
1 Section 308. Recovery of certain vehicle registrations and 2 licenses. 3 A constable shall have the power and duty to recover expired, 4 suspended, or revoked vehicle registrations and licenses for the 5 Department of Transportation. The department shall notify in 6 writing the appropriate constable to recover all suspended or 7 revoked vehicle registrations and licenses. 8 CHAPTER 4 9 SERVICE OF PROCESS 10 Section 401. General power to serve process. 11 A constable is authorized to serve and execute any lawful 12 process issued by a district justice or any other lawful civil, 13 criminal or administrative process. 14 Section 402. Supreme Court to promulgate rules. 15 The Supreme Court shall promulgate general rules relating to 16 the service of process issued by the court of common pleas and 17 district justices and the service of process by mail. 18 Section 403. Service of civil and administrative process. 19 A constable is authorized to serve civil and administrative 20 process within the judicial district in which he is elected or 21 appointed regardless of whether or not the process emanates from 22 his own judicial district. 23 Section 404. Service of criminal process. 24 A constable is authorized to serve criminal process anywhere 25 in this Commonwealth when the process is issued from his 26 judicial district. A constable is authorized to serve any 27 criminal process within his judicial district no matter where 28 such process was originally issued. 29 CHAPTER 5 30 COMPATIBLE AND INCOMPATIBLE OFFICES AND ACTIVITIES 19780H2538B3573 - 7 -
1 Section 501. Compatible activities. 2 Nothing in this or any other act shall be construed to 3 prohibit a constable as a private citizen from engaging in the 4 following activities if he so elects: 5 (1) School security duties. 6 (2) Municipal security duties. 7 (3) Traffic duty at special events. 8 Section 502. Incompatible offices and activities. 9 The following offices and activities are incompatible with 10 the office of constable: 11 (1) District attorney. 12 (2) Assistant district attorney. 13 (3) Sheriff. 14 (4) Deputy sheriff. 15 (5) County treasurer. 16 (6) Judge of election. 17 (7) Inspector of election. 18 (8) Private detective. 19 (9) Police officer except as provided in chapter 3. 20 (10) Any other position in the unified judicial system. 21 (11) Private collection agent. 22 (12) Bail bondsman. 23 CHAPTER 6 24 DEPUTY CONSTABLES 25 Section 601. Appointment. 26 The constable may request authorization from the president 27 judge to appoint up to four deputies. Upon written approval of 28 such request by the president judge, the constable may appoint 29 such deputies. The president judge need not approve the 30 individuals appointed as deputies. 19780H2538B3573 - 8 -
1 Section 602. Qualifications. 2 A deputy constable shall be subject to the same standards 3 required of an elected constable and shall present evidence of 4 having met those requirements prior to receiving his commission. 5 A deputy so appointed shall be the agent of the constable and 6 shall be regulated and supervised by the constable and removable 7 by him for just cause. 8 Section 603. Powers and duties. 9 A deputy constable shall have the same powers and duties as a 10 constable except that the deputy may not appoint another deputy 11 nor may he exercise the powers authorized in section 302. 12 Section 604. Special deputy constables for election. 13 Notwithstanding the limitations imposed by this chapter on 14 the appointment of deputies, a constable may appoint without 15 court approval one special deputy constable per precinct to 16 perform appropriate duties at the polls on election day. Such 17 special deputies powers shall only extend to those powers 18 granted constables generally regarding elections and their 19 appointment shall expire at the close of the polls. 20 CHAPTER 7 21 ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 22 Section 701. Office of Constable Administrator. 23 There is hereby established within the Administrative Office 24 of the Pennsylvania Courts the Office of Constable 25 Administrator. The Supreme Court shall appoint a constable 26 administrator. 27 Section 702. Local administration. 28 (a) The president judge of each judicial district may 29 appoint or direct a suitable person to serve as local 30 administrator of the constable system within the judicial 19780H2538B3573 - 9 -
1 district. 2 (b) In addition, the president judge of each judicial 3 district may establish a central office for constables to 4 provide for the efficient and equitable distribution of work. 5 Section 703. Priority of constable business. 6 A constable should devote the time necessary for prompt and 7 proper disposition of the business of his office, which should 8 be given priority over any other occupation, business, 9 profession, pursuit or activity. 10 Section 704. Policies and procedures relating to fees. 11 The constable administrator shall establish policies and 12 procedures for the collection and payment of constable's fees. 13 Such procedures shall include but not be limited to providing 14 adequate auditing and accounting procedures as to fines, costs 15 and fees paid to and collected by district justices, constables 16 and deputy constables. Fees shall be as provided in Chapter 9. 17 Section 705. Records. 18 Each constable shall maintain accurate records regarding all 19 the functions performed by him and his deputies. Such records 20 shall be open for inspection by the constable administrator and 21 the president judge and local administrator of the judicial 22 district and as otherwise provided by law. The constable 23 administrator shall issue rules prescribing the type and manner 24 of records to be kept. 25 Section 706. Registration and identification cards. 26 Each constable and deputy constable should be registered and 27 issued an identification card by the constable administrator. 28 Section 707. Uniforms. 29 Each constable may wear a uniform when engaged in the duties 30 of his office; however, no constable shall wear his uniform when 19780H2538B3573 - 10 -
1 acting in a private capacity. The constable administrator shall 2 prescribe the specifications for the standardized constable 3 uniform. 4 CHAPTER 8 5 EDUCATION 6 Section 801. Constables Education Board. 7 The Constables Education Board is hereby established which 8 shall consist of seven members appointed by the Governor with 9 the advice and consent of a majority of the members elected to 10 the Senate. Three members shall be members of the bar of the 11 Pennsylvania Supreme Court, three members shall be constables, 12 and one member shall be a lay citizen representing the public at 13 large. Three members shall be appointed for terms of five years, 14 three members shall be appointed for terms of four years, and 15 one member shall be appointed for a term of three years, and 16 until their successors have been appointed and qualified. 17 Thereafter each appointment shall be for a term of five years 18 and until a successor has been appointed and qualified. Four 19 members of the board shall constitute a quorum. No action of the 20 board shall be valid unless it shall have the concurrence of at 21 least four members. Each member shall be paid $50 for each day 22 or part thereof upon which he attends a board meeting, or 23 performs any duty assigned to him by the chairman; and, he shall 24 be reimbursed for reasonable traveling or other expenses 25 incurred incident to such attendance and to such assigned duty. 26 The board shall organize by electing a chairman. The board shall 27 prescribe and approve the subject matter and the examination for 28 the course of instruction and training required by this act. The 29 Department of Education shall serve as the administrative 30 officers of the board and in such capacity shall, subject to the 19780H2538B3573 - 11 -
1 direction of the board, administer the course of instruction and 2 training and conduct the examination. 3 Section 802. Course of instruction. 4 Constables shall complete a course of training and 5 instruction in the duties of their office as jointly prescribed 6 by the board and the Department of Education and shall 7 successfully pass an examination prior to assuming office if 8 elected or within nine months after being elected or upon taking 9 office pursuant to an appointment to fill a vacancy. The 10 department shall make the course of instruction available at 11 such times as determined by it and the board, so as to insure 12 that any constable, to be elected or appointed may qualify to 13 assume office as soon as possible. By regulation the board shall 14 direct the department to conduct the course at such time, at 15 such places and in such manner as it shall prescribe. In 16 addition to those required by this act to complete the course of 17 training and instruction and successfully pass an examination, 18 any interested person may apply to the department to be enrolled 19 in the course of instruction and take the examination, subject 20 to such rules and regulations as the department with the 21 approval of the board may determine. Any such interested person 22 who successfully completes the course and passes the examination 23 shall secure an appropriate certificate from the department. 24 Section 803. Rules and regulations. 25 The department shall, with the approval of the board, have 26 the power to promulgate such rules and regulations as are 27 necessary to carry out its duties under this act. 28 Section 804. Completion of course. 29 Upon the successful completion of the course of training and 30 instruction and examination, the department shall issue a 19780H2538B3573 - 12 -
1 certificate in the form prescribed by the board, certifying that 2 such person is qualified to perform his duties as required by 3 this act. Such certificate shall be filed in the office of the 4 prothonotary of the county in which the constable resides. In 5 the event that an elected or appointed constable fails to obtain 6 and file such certificate in the proper prothonotary's office 7 within nine months after his election or appointment, said 8 office of constable shall be vacant, such vacancy to be filled 9 as provided in Chapter 2. 10 CHAPTER 9 11 FINANCIAL PROVISIONS 12 Section 901. Compensation of constables. 13 Constables shall be compensated for their services by the 14 payment of fees authorized pursuant to this chapter. 15 Section 902. Compensation of deputies. 16 Deputy constables shall be compensated for their services 17 pursuant to agreements made with the constable. The constable 18 shall be entitled to receive all fees payable as a result of his 19 deputies' services and such constable shall be responsible for 20 the payment of compensation to his deputy pursuant to their 21 agreement. The constable shall compensate the deputy not less 22 than 75% of the fee collected for the services performed. 23 Compensation payable to the deputy shall be paid to him on or 24 before the 15th of the month following the service performed. 25 Section 903. Form of payment. 26 Constables are authorized to accept cash, check or money 27 order in payment for their services. A receipt shall be provided 28 for any payment received. 29 Section 904. Fees for specific services. 30 (a) The fees to be charged and received by constables shall 19780H2538B3573 - 13 -
1 be as follows: 2 (1) The sum of $6 for summary defendants, $8 for 3 misdemeanor defendants, and $10 for felony defendants for: 4 (i) each warrant or writ executed on behalf of the 5 Commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof; 6 (ii) arresting persons guilty of and bringing such 7 persons with or without a warrant before the judiciary 8 for breach of peace, riotous or disorderly conduct, 9 drunkenness, or who may be engaged in the commission of 10 any unlawful act tending to imperil the personal security 11 or endanger the property of the citizens, or violating 12 any ordinance of any municipality for which a fine or 13 penalty may be imposed, or offending or suspected of 14 offending against the laws of this Commonwealth, or 15 violating timberlands, or the violation of any other law 16 of this Commonwealth; 17 (iii) taking the defendant before the district 18 justice for purposes of making bail; 19 (iv) taking defendant before issuing authority where 20 defendant does not owe money, or no fine or costs are 21 stated on warrant or for arraignment; 22 (v) conveying defendants to jail on mittimus or 23 warrants or order of judiciary or because judiciary is 24 not available; or 25 (vi) taking defendant before the district justice 26 from prison or lock-up. 27 (2) The sum of $6 for the performance of the following 28 services: 29 (i) for serving citation on defendant; 30 (ii) for voluntary appearance at a hearing on a 19780H2538B3573 - 14 -
1 summary citation or a misdemeanor case; 2 (iii) for executing a search warrant and making 3 return; 4 (iv) for executing discharge to jailer; 5 (v) for serving notice of possession or turning over 6 property to landlord without forcible ejectment on order 7 of possession; 8 (vi) for accepting security or bail in a summary 9 case; or 10 (vii) for recovery of an expired, suspended or 11 revoked vehicle registration or license. 12 (3) The amount stated for the following services: 13 (i) For transporting a prisoner from another 14 judicial district to the issuing authority within the 15 constable's judicial district for hearing or arraignment, 16 the sum of $20 per constable if within 50 miles or $50 17 per constable if over 50 miles. 18 (ii) For appearance in court when subpoenaed or 19 summoned, the sum of $7.50 per hour or fraction thereof, 20 with a minimum of one hour. 21 (iii) For the assistance of a deputy on any service, 22 the sum of $2 for misdemeanor or summary defendants and 23 $10 for felony defendants. 24 (iv) For serving subpoena, in all cases, or 25 judiciary notice to hearing in any civil case, the sum of 26 $6 for the first witness or defendant, plus $2 for each 27 additional witness or defendant at the same address. 28 (v) For levying goods, including schedule of 29 property levied upon and set aside each address, the sum 30 of $20. 19780H2538B3573 - 15 -
1 (vi) For posting notice of levy each address levied, 2 $5 per notice, no more than three notices. 3 (vii) For posting sale notice, each notice $5, no 4 more than two notices. 5 (viii) For advertising sale of personal property of 6 defendant by posting of handbills, the sum of $5. 7 (ix) For clerk at sale, the sum of $15. 8 (x) For holding sale, 3% on all proceeds. 9 (xi) For forcible ejectment on order of possession, 10 the sum of $30. 11 (xii) For making return of net found on any process 12 which shall be certified by the constable or deputy 13 constable, the sum of $2. 14 (xiii) For transporting mental patients within the 15 judicial district the sum of $10, or if outside the 16 judicial district, the sum of $20. 17 Section 905. Additional hourly compensation. 18 In addition to the fees authorized in section 904 for 19 specific services, the constable administrator may promulgate 20 rules authorizing payment to constables at an hourly rate not to 21 exceed $7.50 per hour for designated services and functions not 22 otherwise covered. 23 Section 906. Payment for travel. 24 (a) Constables shall be compensated for actual mileage 25 travelled at the rate of 17¢ per mile. Actual mileage travelled 26 shall be computed using the district justice's office as the 27 starting point and computing the distance from the district 28 justice's office to the first stop made by the constable and by 29 adding the distance from the first stop to the second stop and 30 so forth to all subsequent stops. The ending point shall be the 19780H2538B3573 - 16 -
1 district justice's office. 2 (b) Constables shall be compensated for other travel 3 expenses not to exceed accountable expenses if travel is by 4 means other than motor vehicle. 5 Section 907. Multiple service of process. 6 In criminal and civil cases when multiple processes are 7 served, a constable shall be paid for each process served even 8 though service may be performed at one time. The constable shall 9 be paid only one mileage or expense fee, except in those 10 instances when multiple trips are required and approved. 11 Section 908. Services performed by more than one constable. 12 When a service is performed by more than one constable or 13 deputy under authorization of the president judge or the local 14 administrator, compensation shall be payable as provided in 15 section 904. 16 Section 909. Service of process by mail. 17 When service of process is authorized by mail, the costs of 18 postage shall be imposed upon the party instituting the 19 proceedings. Such costs shall be recoverable by the prevailing 20 party. 21 CHAPTER 10 22 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 23 Section 1001. Repeals. 24 (a) The act of July 20, 1917 (P.L.1158, No.401), referred to 25 as the Constable Fee Law, is repealed absolutely. 26 (b) All other acts or parts of acts inconsistent with this 27 act are repealed to the extent of any inconsistency. 28 Section 1002. Effective date and transitional provisions. 29 This act shall take effect January 1, 1979. However, any 30 constables in office on such effective date shall remain in 19780H2538B3573 - 17 -
1 office until the next election. Any constable elected following 2 the effective date of the act who has served previously as a 3 constable for a period of at least four years shall be exempt 4 from the requirements of Chapter 8. 5 SECTION 1. THE DEFINITION OF "OFFICER ENFORCING ORDERS" IN <-- 6 SECTION 102 OF TITLE 42, ACT OF NOVEMBER 25, 1970 (P.L.707, 7 NO.230), KNOWN AS THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED STATUTES, 8 AMENDED APRIL 28, 1978 (NO.53), IS AMENDED AND DEFINITIONS ARE 9 ADDED TO READ: 10 § 102. DEFINITIONS. 11 SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS CONTAINED IN SUBSEQUENT 12 PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO SPECIFIC 13 PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE, THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES WHEN 14 USED IN THIS TITLE SHALL HAVE, UNLESS THE CONTEXT CLEARLY 15 INDICATES OTHERWISE, THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS SECTION: 16 * * * 17 "CONSTABLE." A CONSTABLE ELECTED OR APPOINTED PURSUANT TO 18 SUBCHAPTER C OF CHAPTER 29 (RELATING TO CONSTABLES). 19 * * * 20 "OFFICER ENFORCING ORDERS." INCLUDES: 21 (1) A RECORDER OF DEEDS WHEN THE ORDER AFFECTS THE 22 OWNERSHIP OF AN INTEREST IN PROPERTY DESCRIBED OR DESCRIBABLE 23 BY A DOCUMENT WHICH HAS BEEN OR MAY BE FILED OR RECORDED IN 24 HIS OFFICE, OR RELATES TO THE INDEXING OF DOCUMENTS FILED OR 25 RECORDED IN HIS OFFICE. 26 (2) A REGISTER OF WILLS. 27 (3) A SHERIFF. 28 (4) A CONSTABLE. 29 (5) A WARRANT OFFICER. 30 * * * 19780H2538B3573 - 18 -
1 "WARRANT OFFICER." A WARRANT OFFICER OF THE PHILADELPHIA 2 TRAFFIC COURT APPOINTED PURSUANT TO SUBCHAPTER D OF CHAPTER 29 3 (RELATING TO WARRANT OFFICERS). 4 * * * 5 SECTION 2. TITLE 42 IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ: 6 § 1904. CONSTABLE ADMINISTRATOR OF PENNSYLVANIA. 7 THE SUPREME COURT SHALL APPOINT AND MAY REMOVE A CONSTABLE 8 ADMINISTRATOR OF PENNSYLVANIA WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 9 OF PENNSYLVANIA COURTS. 10 SECTION 3. CHAPTER 21 OF TITLE 42 IS AMENDED BY ADDING A 11 SUBCHAPTER TO READ: 12 CHAPTER 21 13 JUDICIAL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 14 * * * 15 SUBCHAPTER F 16 CONSTABLES EDUCATION BOARD 17 SEC. 18 2151. CONSTABLES EDUCATION BOARD. 19 2152. COMPOSITION OF BOARD. 20 2153. ORGANIZATION. 21 2154. STAFF. 22 2155. POWERS AND DUTIES. 23 § 2151. CONSTABLES EDUCATION BOARD. 24 (A) GENERAL RULE.--THE CONSTABLES EDUCATION BOARD SHALL 25 CONSIST OF SEVEN MEMBERS SELECTED AS PROVIDED IN THIS 26 SUBCHAPTER. 27 (B) SEAL.--THE CONSTABLES EDUCATION BOARD SHALL HAVE A SEAL 28 ENGRAVED WITH ITS NAME AND SUCH OTHER INSCRIPTION AS MAY BE 29 SPECIFIED BY GENERAL RULE. A FACSIMILE OR PREPRINTED SEAL MAY BE 30 USED FOR ALL PURPOSES IN LIEU OF THE ORIGINAL SEAL. 19780H2538B3573 - 19 -
1 § 2152. COMPOSITION OF BOARD. 2 (A) GENERAL RULE.--THE CONSTABLES EDUCATION BOARD SHALL 3 CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH 4 THE CONSENT OF A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS ELECTED TO THE SENATE: 5 (1) THREE PERSONS WHO SHALL BE CONSTABLES. 6 (2) ONE PERSON WHO SHALL BE A DISTRICT JUSTICE. 7 (3) THREE OTHER PERSONS. 8 (B) TERMS OF OFFICE.--THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SHALL SERVE 9 FOR TERMS OF FIVE YEARS AND UNTIL A SUCCESSOR HAS BEEN APPOINTED 10 AND QUALIFIED. A VACANCY ON THE BOARD SHALL BE FILLED FOR THE 11 BALANCE OF THE TERM. 12 (C) COMPENSATION.--MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SHALL BE PAID $50 13 FOR EACH DAY OR PART THEREOF UPON WHICH SUCH MEMBER ATTENDS A 14 BOARD MEETING OR PERFORMS ANY DUTY ASSIGNED BY THE CHAIRMAN. 15 MEMBERS SHALL BE REIMBURSED FOR REASONABLE TRAVELING AND OTHER 16 EXPENSES INCURRED INCIDENT TO SUCH ATTENDANCE AND ASSIGNED DUTY. 17 § 2153. ORGANIZATION. 18 ANNUALLY THE CONSTABLES EDUCATION BOARD SHALL ELECT A 19 CHAIRMAN AND OTHER OFFICERS OF THE BOARD, WHO SHALL HOLD OFFICE 20 AT THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD. THE BOARD SHALL ACT ONLY WITH THE 21 CONCURRENCE OF A MAJORITY OF ITS MEMBERS. 22 § 2154. STAFF. 23 THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE SHALL SERVE AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE 24 OFFICER OF THE BOARD AND AS SUCH SHALL PROVIDE SUCH STAFF 25 ASSISTANCE AS THE CONSTABLES EDUCATION BOARD MAY REQUIRE. 26 § 2155. POWERS AND DUTIES. 27 THE CONSTABLES EDUCATION BOARD SHALL EXERCISE THE POWERS AND 28 PERFORM THE DUTIES VESTED IN AND IMPOSED UPON THE BOARD BY 29 SUBCHAPTER C OF CHAPTER 29 (RELATING TO CONSTABLES) AND ANY 30 OTHER POWERS AND DUTIES VESTED IN AND IMPOSED UPON THE BOARD BY 19780H2538B3573 - 20 -
1 LAW. 2 SECTION 4. SUBCHAPTER C OF CHAPTER 29 OF TITLE 42 IS AMENDED 3 BY ADDING SECTIONS TO READ: 4 CHAPTER 29 5 OFFICERS SERVING PROCESS AND ENFORCING ORDERS 6 * * * 7 SUBCHAPTER C 8 CONSTABLES 9 SEC. 10 2941. ELECTION. 11 2942. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE. 12 2943. VACANCIES. 13 2944. COMPATIBLE AND INCOMPATIBLE OFFICES AND ACTIVITIES. 14 2945. EDUCATION AND TRAINING. 15 2946. DEPUTY CONSTABLES. 16 ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL MATTERS 17 2951. LOCAL ADMINISTRATOR. 18 2952. PRIORITY OF CONSTABLE BUSINESS. 19 2953. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RELATING TO FEES. 20 2954. RECORDS. 21 2955. REGISTRATION AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS. 22 2956. UNIFORMS. 23 2957. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES GENERALLY. 24 2958. SPECIFIC FEES. 25 2959. DISTRIBUTION OF PROCESS OUTSIDE THE JUDICIAL DISTRICT. 26 POWERS AND DUTIES 27 2965. SERVICE OF PROCESS. 28 2966. POLICE POWERS IN CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES. 29 2967. TRANSPORTATION OF PRISONERS AND MENTAL PATIENTS. 30 2968. PROTECTION OF DISTRICT JUSTICE. 19780H2538B3573 - 21 -
1 2969. ELECTION DAY POWERS. 2 2970. ACCEPTANCE OF SECURITY. 3 2971. UNLAWFUL ACTS RELATIVE TO CONSTABLES. 4 2972. RECOVERY OF CERTAIN VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS AND LICENSES. 5 2973. POWER TO CARRY AND USE A FIREARM. 6 CONSTABLES 7 § 2941. ELECTION. 8 THERE SHALL BE ONE CONSTABLE ELECTED FOR A TERM OF SIX YEARS 9 FOR EACH MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE 10 RELATING TO CONSTABLES SHALL APPLY THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH 11 EXCEPT IN THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT. 12 § 2942. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE. 13 (A) GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.--EACH CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF 14 CONSTABLE SHALL BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE, SHALL BE A RESIDENT 15 OF THE MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT FOR WHICH HE IS ELECTED, AND SHALL 16 HAVE MET THE EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 17 2945 (RELATING TO EDUCATION AND TRAINING). 18 (B) PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EXAMINATION.--EVERY CONSTABLE SHALL 19 PASS A PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EXAMINATION PRIOR TO RECEIVING HIS 20 COMMISSION. THE STANDARDS FOR SUCH EXAMINATION SHALL BE SET BY 21 THE CONSTABLE EDUCATION BOARD. 22 § 2943. VACANCIES. 23 (A) DISQUALIFICATION AND REMOVAL FROM OFFICE.-- 24 (1) ANY PERSON CONVICTED OF A FELONY OR MISDEMEANOR 25 SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM SEEKING OR HOLDING THE OFFICE OF 26 CONSTABLE. 27 (2) ANY CONSTABLE CONVICTED OF A FELONY OR MISDEMEANOR 28 WHILE IN OFFICE SHALL BE SUSPENDED FROM HIS DUTIES UPON 29 INITIAL CONVICTION. AFTER ANY AND ALL APPEALS ARE FINALLY 30 EXHAUSTED, THE SUSPENSION SHALL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE REMOVAL 19780H2538B3573 - 22 -
1 FROM OFFICE IF THE CONVICTION STANDS AND THE RESULTING 2 VACANCY SHALL BE FILLED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (B). IF THE 3 CONSTABLE IS ACQUITTED, THE SUSPENSION SHALL BE LIFTED. 4 (3) ANY CONSTABLE MAY BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE BY THE 5 PRESIDENT JUDGE AFTER A HEARING IF FOUND TO BE INCOMPETENT OR 6 NEGLIGENT IN PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES OR FOR REFUSAL TO 7 SERVE PROCESS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FOR THE DISTRICT 8 JUSTICE IN HIS DISTRICT. 9 (B) FILLING OF VACANCIES.--IF THE OFFICE OF CONSTABLE 10 BECOMES VACANT FOR ANY REASON, THE DISTRICT MAGISTRATE OF THE 11 MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT IN WHICH THE VACANCY EXISTS SHALL APPOINT, 12 WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT JUDGE OF THE JUDICIAL 13 DISTRICT, A QUALIFIED PERSON TO FILL THE VACANCY GIVING FIRST 14 CONSIDERATION TO DEPUTIES IN THE DISTRICT. THE PERSON SO 15 APPOINTED SHALL HOLD OFFICE UNTIL THE FIRST MONDAY IN JANUARY 16 AFTER THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION OCCURRING MORE THAN 60 DAYS AFTER 17 THE VACANCY FIRST OCCURS, AT WHICH ELECTION AN ELIGIBLE PERSON 18 SHALL BE ELECTED FOR THE UNEXPIRED TERM. 19 § 2944. COMPATIBLE AND INCOMPATIBLE OFFICES AND ACTIVITIES. 20 (A) COMPATIBLE ACTIVITIES.--NOTHING IN THIS TITLE OR ANY 21 OTHER ACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PROHIBIT A CONSTABLE AS A 22 PRIVATE CITIZEN FROM ENGAGING IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES IF HE 23 SO ELECTS: 24 (1) SCHOOL SECURITY DUTIES. 25 (2) MUNICIPAL SECURITY DUTIES. 26 (3) TRAFFIC DUTY AT SPECIAL EVENTS. 27 (B) INCOMPATIBLE OFFICES AND ACTIVITIES.--THE FOLLOWING 28 OFFICES AND ACTIVITIES ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE OFFICE OF 29 CONSTABLE: 30 (1) DISTRICT ATTORNEY. 19780H2538B3573 - 23 -
1 (2) ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY. 2 (3) SHERIFF. 3 (4) DEPUTY SHERIFF. 4 (5) COUNTY TREASURER. 5 (6) ANY ELECTION OFFICER. 6 (7) ANY OFFICER OF A POLITICAL PARTY. 7 (8) PRIVATE DETECTIVE. 8 (9) POLICE OFFICER EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 2982 9 (RELATING TO POLICE POWERS IN CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES). 10 (10) ANY OTHER POSITION IN THE UNIFIED JUDICIAL SYSTEM. 11 (11) PRIVATE COLLECTION AGENT. 12 (12) BAIL BONDSMAN. 13 § 2945. EDUCATION AND TRAINING. 14 (A) COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.--CONSTABLES SHALL COMPLETE A 15 COURSE OF TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION IN THE DUTIES OF THEIR OFFICE 16 AS JOINTLY PRESCRIBED BY THE CONSTABLES EDUCATION BOARD AND THE 17 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF PENNSYLVANIA COURTS AND SHALL 18 SUCCESSFULLY PASS AN EXAMINATION PRIOR TO ASSUMING THE DUTIES OF 19 OFFICE IF ELECTED OR WITHIN NINE MONTHS AFTER BEING ELECTED OR 20 UPON TAKING OFFICE PURSUANT TO AN APPOINTMENT TO FILL A VACANCY. 21 THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE SHALL MAKE THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION 22 AVAILABLE AT SUCH TIMES AS DETERMINED BY IT AND THE BOARD, SO AS 23 TO INSURE THAT ANY CONSTABLE, TO BE ELECTED OR APPOINTED MAY 24 QUALIFY TO ASSUME OFFICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. BY REGULATION THE 25 BOARD SHALL DIRECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE TO CONDUCT THE 26 COURSE AT SUCH TIME, AT SUCH PLACES AND IN SUCH MANNER AS IT 27 SHALL PRESCRIBE. IN ADDITION TO THOSE REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION 28 TO COMPLETE THE COURSE OF TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION AND 29 SUCCESSFULLY PASS AN EXAMINATION, ANY INTERESTED PERSON MAY 30 APPLY TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE TO BE ENROLLED IN THE COURSE 19780H2538B3573 - 24 -
1 OF INSTRUCTION AND TAKE THE EXAMINATION, SUBJECT TO SUCH RULES 2 AND REGULATIONS AS THE OFFICE WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD MAY 3 DETERMINE. ANY SUCH INTERESTED PERSON WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES 4 THE COURSE AND PASSES THE EXAMINATION SHALL SECURE AN 5 APPROPRIATE CERTIFICATE FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE. 6 (B) RULES AND REGULATIONS.--THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF 7 PENNSYLVANIA COURTS SHALL, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD, HAVE 8 THE POWER TO PROMULGATE SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS AS ARE 9 NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT ITS DUTIES UNDER THIS ACT. 10 (C) COMPLETION OF COURSE.--UPON THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF 11 THE COURSE OF TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION, THE 12 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE SHALL ISSUE A CERTIFICATE IN THE FORM 13 PRESCRIBED BY THE BOARD, CERTIFYING THAT SUCH PERSON IS 14 QUALIFIED TO PERFORM HIS DUTIES AS REQUIRED BY THIS TITLE. SUCH 15 CERTIFICATE SHALL BE FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE PROTHONOTARY OF 16 THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE CONSTABLE RESIDES. IN THE EVENT THAT AN 17 ELECTED OR APPOINTED CONSTABLE FAILS TO OBTAIN AND FILE SUCH 18 CERTIFICATE IN THE PROPER PROTHONOTARY'S OFFICE WITHIN NINE 19 MONTHS AFTER HIS ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT, SAID OFFICE OF 20 CONSTABLE SHALL BE VACANT, SUCH VACANCY TO BE FILLED AS PROVIDED 21 IN SECTION 2943 (RELATING TO VACANCIES). 22 (D) FIREARMS TRAINING.-- 23 (1) CONSTABLES SHALL COMPLETE A COURSE OF TRAINING AND 24 INSTRUCTION IN THE USE OF FIREARMS AS JOINTLY PRESCRIBED BY 25 THE BOARD AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE AND SHALL 26 SUCCESSFULLY PASS AN EXAMINATION WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE 27 ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT IN ORDER TO CARRY OR USE A FIREARM IN 28 THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES. THE CONSTABLE MAY CARRY AND 29 USE A FIREARM DURING THE ONE YEAR PERIOD WHILE INVOLVED IN 30 THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION UPON RECEIPT OF WRITTEN APPROVAL OF 19780H2538B3573 - 25 -
1 THE PRESIDENT JUDGE OF THE JUDICIAL DISTRICT. 2 (2) THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION SHALL INCLUDE AT LEAST 35 3 HOURS OF TRAINING PROVIDED BY THE STATE POLICE CONSISTENT 4 WITH THE TRAINING PROGRAM PROVIDED UNDER THE ACT OF OCTOBER 5 10, 1974 (P.L.705, NO.235), KNOWN AS THE "LETHAL WEAPONS 6 TRAINING ACT." 7 (3) THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE MAY WAIVE THESE 8 REQUIREMENTS OR ANY PORTION THEREOF UPON THE DEMONSTRATION BY 9 THE CONSTABLE THAT HE HAS TAKEN AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A 10 COMPARABLE TRAINING PROGRAM. 11 (E) COSTS.--THE COST OF FIREARM TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION 12 SHALL BE PAID BY THE CONSTABLE WHO SHALL BE REIMBURSED BY THE 13 COMMONWEALTH UPON THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE COURSE. THE 14 COST OF THE OTHER TRAINING REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION SHALL BE 15 PAID BY THE CONSTABLE. 16 (F) CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENT.--CONSTABLES SHALL 17 COMPLETE A CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM AS JOINTLY PRESCRIBED BY 18 THE BOARD AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE. 19 § 2946. DEPUTY CONSTABLES. 20 (A) APPOINTMENT.--THE CONSTABLE MAY REQUEST, UPON A 21 DEMONSTRATION OF NEED, AUTHORIZATION FROM THE PRESIDENT JUDGE TO 22 APPOINT UP TO FOUR DEPUTIES. THE CONSTABLE MAY APPOINT SUCH 23 DEPUTIES WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT JUDGE. 24 (B) QUALIFICATIONS.--A DEPUTY CONSTABLE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO 25 THE SAME STANDARDS REQUIRED OF AN ELECTED CONSTABLE AND SHALL 26 PRESENT EVIDENCE OF HAVING MET THOSE REQUIREMENTS PRIOR TO 27 RECEIVING HIS COMMISSION. A DEPUTY SO APPOINTED SHALL BE THE 28 AGENT OF THE CONSTABLE AND SHALL BE REGULATED AND SUPERVISED BY 29 THE CONSTABLE AND REMOVAL BY HIM FOR JUST CAUSE. 30 (C) POWERS AND DUTIES.--A DEPUTY CONSTABLE SHALL HAVE THE 19780H2538B3573 - 26 -
1 SAME POWERS AND DUTIES AS A CONSTABLE EXCEPT THAT THE DEPUTY MAY 2 NOT APPOINT ANOTHER DEPUTY NOR MAY HE EXERCISE THE POWERS 3 AUTHORIZED IN SECTION 2966 (RELATING TO POLICE POWERS IN CERTAIN 4 MUNICIPALITIES). 5 (D) SPECIAL DEPUTY CONSTABLES FOR ELECTION.--NOTWITHSTANDING 6 THE LIMITATIONS IMPOSED BY THIS SECTION ON THE APPOINTMENT OF 7 DEPUTIES, AT THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS A 8 CONSTABLE MAY APPOINT WITHOUT COURT APPROVAL ONE SPECIAL DEPUTY 9 CONSTABLE PER PRECINCT TO PERFORM APPROPRIATE DUTIES AT THE 10 POLLS ON ELECTION DAY. SUCH SPECIAL DEPUTIES POWERS SHALL ONLY 11 EXTEND TO THOSE POWERS GRANTED CONSTABLES GENERALLY REGARDING 12 ELECTIONS AND THEIR APPOINTMENT SHALL EXPIRE AT THE COMPLETION 13 OF THE COUNTING OF THE VOTES. SPECIAL DEPUTY CONSTABLES FOR 14 ELECTION DAY DUTY SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE TRAINING 15 REQUIREMENTS PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 2945 (RELATING TO EDUCATION 16 AND TRAINING). 17 ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL MATTERS 18 § 2951. LOCAL ADMINISTRATOR. 19 (A) THE PRESIDENT JUDGE OF EACH JUDICIAL DISTRICT MAY 20 APPOINT OR DIRECT A SUITABLE PERSON TO SERVE AS LOCAL 21 ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CONSTABLE SYSTEM WITHIN THE JUDICIAL 22 DISTRICT. 23 (B) IN ADDITION, THE PRESIDENT JUDGE OF EACH JUDICIAL 24 DISTRICT MAY ESTABLISH A CENTRAL OFFICE FOR CONSTABLES TO 25 PROVIDE FOR THE EFFICIENT AND EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF WORK. 26 § 2952. PRIORITY OF CONSTABLE BUSINESS. 27 A CONSTABLE SHALL DEVOTE THE TIME NECESSARY FOR PROMPT AND 28 PROPER DISPOSITION OF THE BUSINESS OF HIS OFFICE, WHICH SHOULD 29 BE GIVEN PRIORITY OVER ANY OTHER OCCUPATION, BUSINESS, 30 PROFESSION, PURSUIT OR ACTIVITY. 19780H2538B3573 - 27 -
1 § 2953. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RELATING TO FEES. 2 THE CONSTABLE ADMINISTRATOR OF PENNSYLVANIA SHALL ESTABLISH 3 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE COLLECTION AND PAYMENT OF 4 CONSTABLE'S FEES. SUCH PROCEDURES SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE 5 LIMITED TO PROVIDING ADEQUATE AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES 6 AS TO FINES, COSTS AND FEES PAID TO AND COLLECTED BY DISTRICT 7 JUSTICES, CONSTABLES AND DEPUTY CONSTABLES. FEES SHALL BE AS 8 PROVIDED IN SECTION 2957 (RELATING TO COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES 9 GENERALLY). 10 § 2954. RECORDS. 11 EACH CONSTABLE SHALL MAINTAIN ACCURATE RECORDS REGARDING ALL 12 THE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY HIM AND HIS DEPUTIES. SUCH RECORDS 13 SHALL BE OPEN FOR INSPECTION BY THE CONSTABLE ADMINISTRATOR AND 14 THE PRESIDENT JUDGE AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATOR OF THE JUDICIAL 15 DISTRICT AND AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY LAW. THE CONSTABLE 16 ADMINISTRATOR SHALL ISSUE RULES PRESCRIBING THE TYPE AND MANNER 17 OF RECORDS TO BE KEPT. 18 § 2955. REGISTRATION AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS. 19 EACH CONSTABLE AND DEPUTY CONSTABLE SHOULD BE REGISTERED AND 20 ISSUED AN IDENTIFICATION CARD BY THE CONSTABLE ADMINISTRATOR. 21 § 2956. UNIFORMS. 22 A CONSTABLE MAY WEAR A UNIFORM WHEN ENGAGED IN THE DUTIES OF 23 HIS OFFICE; HOWEVER, NO CONSTABLE SHALL WEAR HIS UNIFORM WHEN 24 ACTING IN A PRIVATE CAPACITY. THE CONSTABLE ADMINISTRATOR SHALL 25 PRESCRIBE THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE STANDARDIZED CONSTABLE 26 UNIFORM. 27 § 2957. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES GENERALLY. 28 (A) COMPENSATION OF CONSTABLES.--CONSTABLES SHALL BE 29 COMPENSATED FOR THEIR SERVICES BY THE PAYMENT OF FEES AUTHORIZED 30 PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTION 2958 (RELATING TO SPECIFIC 19780H2538B3573 - 28 -
1 FEES). 2 (B) COMPENSATION OF DEPUTIES.--DEPUTY CONSTABLES SHALL BE 3 COMPENSATED FOR THEIR SERVICES PURSUANT TO AGREEMENTS MADE WITH 4 THE CONSTABLE. THE CONSTABLE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE ALL 5 FEES PAYABLE AS A RESULT OF HIS DEPUTIES' SERVICES AND SUCH 6 CONSTABLE SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION 7 TO HIS DEPUTY PURSUANT TO THEIR AGREEMENT. THE CONSTABLE SHALL 8 COMPENSATE THE DEPUTY NOT LESS THAN 75% OF THE FEE COLLECTED FOR 9 THE SERVICES PERFORMED. COMPENSATION PAYABLE TO THE DEPUTY SHALL 10 BE PAID TO HIM ON OR BEFORE THE 15TH OF THE MONTH FOLLOWING THE 11 SERVICE PERFORMED. 12 (C) FORM OF PAYMENT.--CONSTABLES ARE AUTHORIZED TO ACCEPT 13 CASH, CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN PAYMENT FOR THEIR SERVICES. A 14 RECEIPT SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR ANY PAYMENT RECEIVED. 15 (D) ADDITIONAL HOURLY COMPENSATION.--IN ADDITION TO THE FEES 16 AUTHORIZED IN SECTION 2958 FOR SPECIFIC SERVICES, THE CONSTABLE 17 ADMINISTRATOR MAY PROMULGATE RULES AUTHORIZING PAYMENT TO 18 CONSTABLES AT AN HOURLY RATE NOT TO EXCEED $7.50 PER HOUR FOR 19 DESIGNATED SERVICES AND FUNCTIONS NOT OTHERWISE COVERED BUT 20 OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR IN THIS TITLE. 21 (E) PAYMENT FOR TRAVEL.-- 22 (1) CONSTABLES SHALL BE COMPENSATED FOR ACTUAL MILEAGE 23 TRAVELED AT THE RATE OF 17¢ PER MILE. ACTUAL MILEAGE TRAVELED 24 SHALL BE COMPUTED USING THE DISTRICT JUSTICE'S OFFICE AS THE 25 STARTING POINT AND COMPUTING THE DISTANCE FROM THE DISTRICT 26 JUSTICE'S OFFICE TO THE FIRST STOP MADE BY THE CONSTABLE AND 27 BY ADDING THE DISTANCE FROM THE FIRST STOP TO THE SECOND STOP 28 AND SO FORTH TO ALL SUBSEQUENT STOPS. THE ENDING POINT SHALL 29 BE THE DISTRICT JUSTICE'S OFFICE. 30 (2) CONSTABLES SHALL BE COMPENSATED FOR OTHER TRAVEL 19780H2538B3573 - 29 -
1 EXPENSES NOT TO EXCEED ACCOUNTABLE EXPENSES IF TRAVEL IS BY 2 MEANS OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLE. 3 (F) MULTIPLE SERVICE OF PROCESS.--IN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL 4 CASES WHEN MULTIPLE PROCESSES ARE SERVED, A CONSTABLE SHALL BE 5 PAID FOR EACH PROCESS SERVED EVEN THOUGH SERVICE MAY BE 6 PERFORMED AT ONE TIME. THE CONSTABLE SHALL BE PAID ONLY ONE 7 MILEAGE OR EXPENSE FEE, EXCEPT IN THOSE INSTANCES WHEN MULTIPLE 8 TRIPS ARE REQUIRED AND APPROVED. 9 (G) SERVICES PERFORMED BY MORE THAN ONE CONSTABLE.--WHEN A 10 SERVICE IS PERFORMED BY MORE THAN ONE CONSTABLE OR DEPUTY UNDER 11 AUTHORIZATION OF THE PRESIDENT JUDGE OR THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATOR, 12 COMPENSATION SHALL BE PAYABLE AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 2958. 13 (H) SERVICE OF PROCESS BY MAIL.--WHEN SERVICE OF PROCESS IS 14 AUTHORIZED BY MAIL, THE COSTS OF POSTAGE SHALL BE IMPOSED UPON 15 THE PARTY INSTITUTING THE PROCEEDINGS. SUCH COSTS SHALL BE 16 RECOVERABLE BY THE PREVAILING PARTY. 17 (I) PAYMENT FOR SERVICES PERFORMED.--A CONSTABLE SHALL BE 18 COMPENSATED ACCORDING TO THE FEES PROVIDED FOR IN THIS TITLE BY 19 THE COURT WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE TIME THE COURT HAS RECEIVED 20 PAYMENT FOR THE SERVICE PERFORMED. IF THE COURT SUSPENDS THE FEE 21 FOR THE SERVICE PERFORMED BY THE CONSTABLE, THE FEE SHALL BE 22 PAID BY THE COUNTY. 23 (J) FEE ASSESSMENT.--AN ADDITIONAL $1 FEE SHALL BE CHARGED 24 TO ALL PERSONS ON WHOM A PROCESS IS SUCCESSFULLY SERVED, UNLESS 25 ACQUITTED, WHICH FEE SHALL BE PAID INTO THE COMMONWEALTH'S 26 GENERAL FUND. THIS FEE SHALL NOT BE SUSPENDED. 27 § 2958. SPECIFIC FEES. 28 THE FEES TO BE CHARGED AND RECEIVED BY CONSTABLES SHALL BE AS 29 FOLLOWS: 30 (1) THE SUM OF $12 FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: 19780H2538B3573 - 30 -
1 (I) EACH WARRANT OR WRIT EXECUTED ON BEHALF OF THE 2 COMMONWEALTH OR A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF. 3 (II) ARRESTING PERSONS WITH OR WITHOUT A WARRANT 4 BEFORE THE JUDICIARY FOR BREACH OF PEACE, RIOTOUS OR 5 DISORDERLY CONDUCT, DRUNKENNESS, OR WHO MAY BE ENGAGED IN 6 THE COMMISSION OF ANY UNLAWFUL ACT TENDING TO IMPERIL THE 7 PERSONAL SECURITY OR ENDANGER THE PROPERTY OF THE 8 CITIZENS, OR VIOLATING ANY ORDINANCE OF ANY MUNICIPALITY 9 FOR WHICH A FINE OR PENALTY MAY BE IMPOSED, OR OFFENDING 10 OR SUSPECTED OF OFFENDING AGAINST THE LAWS OF THIS 11 COMMONWEALTH, OR VIOLATING TIMBERLANDS, OR THE VIOLATION 12 OF ANY OTHER LAW OF THIS COMMONWEALTH. 13 (III) TAKING THE DEFENDANT BEFORE THE DISTRICT 14 JUSTICE FOR PURPOSES OF MAKING BAIL. 15 (IV) TAKING DEFENDANT BEFORE ISSUING AUTHORITY WHERE 16 DEFENDANT DOES NOT OWE MONEY, OR NO FINE OR COSTS ARE 17 STATED ON WARRANT OR FOR ARRAIGNMENT. 18 (V) CONVEYING DEFENDANTS TO JAIL ON MITTIMUS OR 19 WARRANTS OR ORDER OF JUDICIARY OR BECAUSE JUDICIARY IS 20 NOT AVAILABLE. 21 (VI) TAKING DEFENDANT BEFORE THE DISTRICT JUSTICE 22 FROM PRISON OR LOCK-UP. 23 (VII) FOR SERVING NOTICE OF POSSESSION ON TURNING 24 OVER PROPERTY TO LANDLORD WITHOUT FORCIBLE EJECTMENT ON 25 ORDER OF POSSESSION. 26 (2) THE SUM OF $6 FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY OF THE 27 FOLLOWING SERVICES: 28 (I) FOR SERVING CITATION ON DEFENDANT. 29 (II) FOR VOLUNTARY APPEARANCE AT A HEARING ON A 30 SUMMARY CITATION OR A MISDEMEANOR CASE. 19780H2538B3573 - 31 -
1 (III) FOR EXECUTING A SEARCH WARRANT AND MAKING 2 RETURN. 3 (IV) FOR EXECUTING DISCHARGE TO JAILER. 4 (V) FOR ACCEPTING SECURITY OR BAIL IN A SUMMARY 5 CASE. 6 (VI) FOR RECOVERY OF AN EXPIRED, SUSPENDED OR 7 REVOKED VEHICLE REGISTRATION OR LICENSE. 8 (3) THE AMOUNT STATED FOR THE FOLLOWING SERVICES: 9 (I) FOR TRANSPORTING A PRISONER FROM ANOTHER 10 JUDICIAL DISTRICT TO THE ISSUING AUTHORITY WITHIN THE 11 CONSTABLE'S JUDICIAL DISTRICT FOR HEARING OR ARRAIGNMENT, 12 THE SUM OF $20 PER CONSTABLE IF WITHIN 50 MILES OR $50 13 PER CONSTABLE IF OVER 50 MILES. 14 (II) FOR APPEARANCE IN COURT WHEN SUBPOENAED OR 15 SUMMONED, THE SUM OF $7.50 PER HOUR OR FRACTION THEREOF, 16 WITH A MINIMUM OF ONE HOUR. 17 (III) IN THOSE INSTANCES WHERE A SERVICE IS 18 PERFORMED BY MORE THAN ONE CONSTABLE OR WITH THE 19 ASSISTANCE OF DEPUTIES EACH PERSON SHALL BE COMPENSATED 20 AT THE FEE PROVIDED FOR THAT SERVICE. 21 (IV) FOR SERVING SUBPOENA, IN ALL CASES, OR 22 JUDICIARY NOTICE TO HEARING IN ANY CIVIL CASE, THE SUM OF 23 $6 FOR THE FIRST WITNESS OR DEFENDANT, PLUS $2 FOR EACH 24 ADDITIONAL WITNESS OR DEFENDANT AT THE SAME ADDRESS. 25 (V) FOR LEVYING GOODS, INCLUDING SCHEDULE OF 26 PROPERTY LEVIED UPON AND SET ASIDE EACH ADDRESS, THE SUM 27 OF $20. 28 (VI) FOR POSTING NOTICE OF LEVY EACH ADDRESS LEVIED, 29 $5 PER NOTICE, NO MORE THAN THREE NOTICES. 30 (VII) FOR POSTING SALE NOTICE, EACH NOTICE $5, NO 19780H2538B3573 - 32 -
1 MORE THAN TWO NOTICES. 2 (VIII) FOR ADVERTISING SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY OF 3 DEFENDANT BY POSTING OF HANDBILLS, THE SUM OF $5. 4 (IX) FOR CLERK AT SALE, THE SUM OF $15. 5 (X) FOR HOLDING SALE, 3% ON ALL PROCEEDS OR $20, 6 WHICHEVER IS GREATER. 7 (XI) FOR FORCIBLE EJECTMENT ON ORDER OF POSSESSION, 8 THE SUM OF $30. 9 (XII) FOR MAKING RETURN OF NOT FOUND ON ANY PROCESS 10 WHICH SHALL BE CERTIFIED BY THE CONSTABLE OR DEPUTY 11 CONSTABLE, THE SUM OF $2. 12 (XIII) FOR TRANSPORTING MENTAL PATIENTS WITHIN THE 13 JUDICIAL DISTRICT THE SUM OF $10, OR IF OUTSIDE THE 14 JUDICIAL DISTRICT, THE SUM OF $20. 15 § 2959. DISTRIBUTION OF PROCESS OUTSIDE THE JUDICIAL DISTRICT. 16 A DISTRICT JUSTICE MAY TRANSFER THE SERVICE OF PROCESS FOR 17 PERSONS OR ENTITIES RESIDING IN ANOTHER JUDICIAL DISTRICT TO THE 18 APPROPRIATE LOCAL CONSTABLE ADMINISTRATOR, OR IN THE ABSENCE OF 19 A LOCAL CONSTABLE ADMINISTRATOR, TO THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT 20 JUSTICE FOR SERVICE. IN THE CASE OF PROCESS TRANSFERRED FOR 21 SERVICE IN THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT, THE DISTRICT JUSTICE 22 WOULD TRANSFER THE PROCESS TO THE PRESIDENT JUDGE OF THE TRAFFIC 23 COURT FOR DISTRIBUTION FOR SERVICE. 24 POWERS AND DUTIES 25 § 2965. SERVICE OF PROCESS 26 (A) GENERAL POWER--A CONSTABLE IS AUTHORIZED TO SERVE AND 27 EXECUTE ANY LAWFUL PROCESS ISSUED BY A DISTRICT JUSTICE OR ANY 28 OTHER LAWFUL CIVIL, CRIMINAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS. 29 (B) SUPREME COURT TO PROMULGATE RULES.--THE SUPREME COURT 30 SHALL PROMULGATE PROCEDURAL RULES RELATING TO THE SERVICE OF 19780H2538B3573 - 33 -
1 PROCESS ISSUED BY THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS AND DISTRICT 2 JUSTICES AND THE SERVICE OF PROCESS BY MAIL. 3 (C) CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS.--A CONSTABLE IS 4 AUTHORIZED TO SERVE CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS WITHIN THE 5 JUDICIAL DISTRICT IN WHICH HE IS ELECTED OR APPOINTED REGARDLESS 6 OF WHETHER OR NOT THE PROCESS EMANATES FROM HIS OWN JUDICIAL 7 DISTRICT. 8 (D) CRIMINAL PROCESS.--A CONSTABLE IS AUTHORIZED TO SERVE 9 CRIMINAL PROCESS ANYWHERE IN THIS COMMONWEALTH WHEN THE PROCESS 10 IS ISSUED FROM HIS JUDICIAL DISTRICT. A CONSTABLE IS AUTHORIZED 11 TO SERVE ANY CRIMINAL PROCESS WITHIN HIS JUDICIAL DISTRICT NO 12 MATTER WHERE SUCH PROCESS WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED. 13 § 2966. POLICE POWERS IN CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES. 14 (A) GENERAL RULE.--ANY MUNICIPALITY THAT HAS NO ORGANIZED 15 MUNICIPAL POLICE FORCE MAY FORMALLY APPOINT AS A POLICE OFFICER 16 THE APPROPRIATE CONSTABLE OR CONSTABLES AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY 17 LAW. WHEN A CONSTABLE IS ACTING PURSUANT TO SUCH APPOINTMENT, HE 18 SHALL HAVE ALL THE POWERS AND BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME RESTRAINTS 19 AS A POLICEMAN WOULD HAVE IN THE MUNICIPALITY IF IT HAD AN 20 ORGANIZED POLICE FORCE. 21 (B) LETHAL WEAPONS CERTIFICATION REQUIRED.--NO CONSTABLE 22 SHALL PERFORM POLICE DUTIES PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION UNLESS SUCH 23 CONSTABLE HAS BEEN CERTIFIED PURSUANT TO THE ACT OF JUNE 18, 24 1974 (P.L.359, NO.140), REFERRED TO AS THE MUNICIPAL POLICE 25 EDUCATION AND TRAINING LAW. 26 § 2967. TRANSPORTATION OF PRISONERS AND MENTAL PATIENTS. 27 CONSTABLES SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY WHEN DIRECTED BY A 28 DISTRICT JUSTICE OR A COURT TO TRANSPORT PRISONERS AND MENTAL 29 PATIENTS. 30 § 2968. PROTECTION OF DISTRICT JUSTICE. 19780H2538B3573 - 34 -
1 UPON THE REQUEST OF AND THE SHOWING OF JUST CAUSE BY THE 2 DISTRICT JUSTICE IN WHOSE MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT THE CONSTABLE 3 SERVES, AND SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT JUDGE OF 4 THE JUDICIAL DISTRICT, A CONSTABLE SHALL PROVIDE PERSONAL 5 PROTECTION TO THE DISTRICT JUSTICE WHILE THE DISTRICT JUSTICE IS 6 PERFORMING HIS DUTIES. 7 § 2969. ELECTION DAY POWERS. 8 UPON REQUEST BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS A CONSTABLE 9 SHALL HAVE THE DUTY, OBLIGATION AND AUTHORITY TO BE PRESENT AT 10 THE POLLING PLACE IN EACH ELECTION DISTRICT OF SUCH BOROUGH, 11 TOWNSHIP OR WARD AT EACH PRIMARY AND ELECTION DURING THE 12 CONTINUANCE THEREOF, AND WHILE THE VOTES ARE BEING COUNTED, FOR 13 THE PURPOSE OF PRESERVING THE PEACE, AND SHALL SERVE AT ALL 14 ELECTIONS FOR WHICH SERVICES THE SAID CONSTABLE SHALL RECEIVE 15 THE SAME COMPENSATION PAYABLE TO INSPECTORS AND CLERKS AS 16 PROVIDED FOR BY THE ACT OF JUNE 3, 1937 (P.L.1337, NO.320), 17 KNOWN AS THE "PENNSYLVANIA ELECTION CODE," WHICH SHALL BE PAID 18 BY THE COUNTY. NO CONSTABLE IN COMMISSION, WHETHER IN UNIFORM OR 19 IN CITIZENS CLOTHES, SHALL BE WITHIN 100 FEET OF THE POLLING 20 PLACE DURING THE CONDUCT OF ANY PRIMARY OR ELECTION, UNLESS IN 21 THE EXERCISE OF HIS PRIVILEGE OF VOTING FOR THE PURPOSE OF 22 SERVING WARRANTS OR UNLESS CALLED UPON TO PRESERVE THE PEACE. IN 23 NO EVENT MAY ANY CONSTABLE UNLAWFULLY USE OR PRACTICE ANY 24 INTIMIDATION, THREATS, FORCE OR VIOLENCE NOR IN ANY MANNER, 25 UNDULY INFLUENCE ANY ELECTOR OR PREVENT HIM FROM VOTING OR 26 RESTRAIN HIS FREEDOM OF CHOICE, NOR MAY ANY SUCH CONSTABLE 27 ELECTIONEER OR DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE 28 ELECTION OR ELECTORS WHILE ON DUTY AT THE ELECTION POLLS. 29 § 2970. ACCEPTANCE OF SECURITY. 30 A CONSTABLE IS AUTHORIZED TO ACCEPT SECURITY FOR A 19780H2538B3573 - 35 -
1 DEFENDANT'S APPEARANCE BEFORE A DISTRICT JUSTICE IN SUMMARY 2 CASES. 3 § 2971. UNLAWFUL ACTS RELATIVE TO CONSTABLES. 4 ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY, WILLFULLY AND FORCIBLY OBSTRUCTS, 5 RESISTS OR OPPOSES ANY CONSTABLE IN SERVING OR ATTEMPTING TO 6 SERVE OR EXECUTE ANY LEGAL PROCESS OR ORDER; OR IN MAKING A 7 LAWFUL ARREST WITH OR WITHOUT A WARRANT; OR ASSAULTS ANY DULY 8 AUTHORIZED CONSTABLE, IN SERVING OR EXECUTING ANY SUCH LEGAL 9 PROCESS OR ORDER OR BECAUSE OF HAVING SERVED OR EXECUTED THE 10 SAME; OR RESCUES ANOTHER IN LEGAL CUSTODY; OR WHOEVER BEING 11 REQUIRED BY ANY CONSTABLE, NEGLECTS OR REFUSES TO ASSIST HIM IN 12 THE EXECUTION OF HIS OFFICE IN ANY CRIMINAL CASE; OR IN THE 13 PRESERVATION OF THE PEACE, OR IN APPREHENDING AND SECURING ANY 14 PERSON FOR A BREACH OF THE PEACE, SHALL BE GUILTY OF A 15 MISDEMEANOR OF THE THIRD DEGREE AND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ARREST 16 ON VIEW BY A CONSTABLE OR OTHER AUTHORIZED PEACE OFFICER. 17 § 2972. RECOVERY OF CERTAIN VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS AND 18 LICENSES. 19 A CONSTABLE SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND DUTY TO RECOVER EXPIRED, 20 SUSPENDED, OR REVOKED VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS AND LICENSES FOR THE 21 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOTIFY IN 22 WRITING THE APPROPRIATE CONSTABLE TO RECOVER ALL SUSPENDED OR 23 REVOKED VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS AND LICENSES. 24 § 2973. POWER TO CARRY AND USE A FIREARM. 25 A CONSTABLE SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO CARRY AND USE A FIREARM 26 IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES UPON THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION 27 OF THE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN SECTION 2955 (RELATING 28 TO EDUCATION AND TRAINING). A CONSTABLE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE 29 SAME REQUIREMENTS AND STATUTES PROVIDED FOR POLICE OFFICERS IN 30 REGARD TO LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS. 19780H2538B3573 - 36 -
1 SECTION 5. CHAPTER 29 OF TITLE 42 IS AMENDED BY ADDING A 2 SUBCHAPTER TO READ: 3 CHAPTER 29 4 OFFICERS SERVING PROCESS AND ENFORCING ORDERS 5 *** 6 SUBCHAPTER D 7 WARRANT OFFICERS 8 SEC. 9 2981. APPOINTMENT AND APPLICATION. 10 2982. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE. 11 2983. VACANCIES. 12 2984. EDUCATION AND TRAINING. 13 2985. DEPUTY WARRANT OFFICERS. 14 ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL MATTERS 15 2986. PRIORITY OF WARRANT OFFICER BUSINESS. 16 2987. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RELATING TO FEES. 17 2988. RECORDS. 18 2989. REGISTRATION AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS. 19 2990. DISTRIBUTION OF PROCESS TO BE SERVED. 20 2991. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES GENERALLY. 21 POWERS AND DUTIES 22 2992. SERVICE OF PROCESS. 23 2993. ACCEPTANCE OF SECURITY. 24 2994. UNLAWFUL ACTS RELATIVE TO CONSTABLES. 25 2995. RECOVERY OF CERTAIN VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS AND LICENSES. 26 2996. POWER TO CARRY AND USE A FIREARM. 27 WARRANT OFFICERS 28 § 2981. APPOINTMENT AND APPLICATION. 29 (A) APPOINTMENT.--THE PRESIDENT JUDGE OF THE TRAFFIC COURT 30 OF PHILADELPHIA SHALL APPOINT NOT MORE THAN 15 PERSONS TO SERVE 19780H2538B3573 - 37 -
1 AS WARRANT OFFICERS FOR TERMS OF SIX YEARS. 2 (B) APPLICATION.--THE PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE RELATING TO 3 WARRANT OFFICERS SHALL BE APPLICABLE ONLY IN THE FIRST JUDICIAL 4 DISTRICT. 5 § 2982. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE. 6 (A) GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.--EACH WARRANT OFFICER SHALL BE AT 7 LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE, SHALL BE A RESIDENT OF THE FIRST JUDICIAL 8 DISTRICT, AND SHALL HAVE MET THE EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SET 9 FORTH IN SECTION 2984 (RELATING TO EDUCATION AND TRAINING). 10 (B) PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EXAMINATION.--EVERY WARRANT OFFICER 11 SHALL PASS A PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EXAMINATION PRIOR TO RECEIVING 12 HIS COMMISSION. THE STANDARDS FOR SUCH EXAMINATION SHALL BE SET 13 BY THE PRESIDENT JUDGE OF THE TRAFFIC COURT OF PHILADELPHIA WITH 14 THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE. 15 § 2983. VACANCIES. 16 (A) DISQUALIFICATION AND REMOVAL FROM OFFICE.-- 17 (1) ANY PERSON CONVICTED OF A FELONY OR MISDEMEANOR 18 SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM APPOINTMENT TO OR THE HOLDING OF 19 THE OFFICE OF WARRANT OFFICER. 20 (2) ANY WARRANT OFFICER CONVICTED OF A FELONY OR 21 MISDEMEANOR WHILE IN OFFICE SHALL BE SUSPENDED FROM HIS 22 DUTIES UPON INITIAL CONVICTION. AFTER ANY AND ALL APPEALS ARE 23 FINALLY EXHAUSTED, THE SUSPENSION SHALL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE 24 REMOVAL FROM OFFICE IF THE CONVICTION STANDS AND THE 25 RESULTING VACANCY SHALL BE FILLED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (B). 26 IF THE WARRANT OFFICER IS ACQUITTED, THE SUSPENSION SHALL BE 27 LIFTED. 28 (3) ANY WARRANT OFFICER MAY BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE BY 29 THE PRESIDENT JUDGE OF THE TRAFFIC COURT OF PHILADELPHIA 30 AFTER A HEARING IF FOUND TO BE INCOMPETENT OR NEGLIGENT IN 19780H2538B3573 - 38 -
1 PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES OR FOR REFUSAL TO SERVE PROCESS 2 WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME. 3 (B) FILLING OF VACANCIES.--IF THE OFFICE OF WARRANT OFFICER 4 BECOMES VACANT FOR ANY REASON, THE PRESIDENT JUDGE OF THE 5 TRAFFIC COURT OF PHILADELPHIA SHALL APPOINT A QUALIFIED PERSON 6 TO FILL THE VACANCY FOR THE BALANCE OF THE UNEXPIRED TERM. 7 § 2984. EDUCATION AND TRAINING. 8 (A) COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.--WARRANT OFFICERS SHALL COMPLETE 9 A COURSE OF TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION IN THE DUTIES OF THEIR 10 OFFICE AS JOINTLY PRESCRIBED BY THE PRESIDENT JUDGE OF THE 11 TRAFFIC COURT OF PHILADELPHIA AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE AND 12 SHALL SUCCESSFULLY PASS AN EXAMINATION PRIOR TO ASSUMING THE 13 DUTIES OF OFFICE IF APPOINTED FOR A FULL TERM OR WITHIN NINE 14 MONTHS AFTER TAKING OFFICE PURSUANT TO AN APPOINTMENT TO FILL A 15 VACANCY. THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE SHALL MAKE THE COURSE OF 16 INSTRUCTION AVAILABLE AT SUCH TIMES AS DETERMINED BY IT AND THE 17 PRESIDENT JUDGE, SO AS TO INSURE THAT ANY WARRANT OFFICER, TO BE 18 APPOINTED MAY QUALIFY TO ASSUME OFFICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. BY 19 RULE THE PRESIDENT JUDGE SHALL DIRECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 20 TO CONDUCT THE COURSE AT SUCH TIME, AT SUCH PLACES AND IN SUCH 21 MANNER AS IT SHALL PRESCRIBE. IN ADDITION TO THOSE REQUIRED BY 22 THIS SECTION TO COMPLETE THE COURSE OF TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION 23 AND SUCCESSFULLY PASS AN EXAMINATION, ANY INTERESTED PERSON MAY 24 APPLY TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE TO BE ENROLLED IN THE COURSE 25 OF INSTRUCTION AND TAKE THE EXAMINATION, SUBJECT TO SUCH RULES 26 AND REGULATIONS AS THE OFFICE WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT 27 JUDGE MAY DETERMINE. ANY SUCH INTERESTED PERSON WHO SUCCESSFULLY 28 COMPLETES THE COURSE AND PASSES THE EXAMINATION SHALL SECURE AN 29 APPROPRIATE CERTIFICATE FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE. 30 (B) RULES AND REGULATIONS.--THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE SHALL, 19780H2538B3573 - 39 -
1 WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT JUDGE, HAVE THE POWER TO 2 PROMULGATE SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS AS ARE NECESSARY TO CARRY 3 OUT ITS DUTIES UNDER THIS ACT. 4 (C) COMPLETION OF COURSE.--UPON THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF 5 THE COURSE OF TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION, THE 6 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE SHALL ISSUE A CERTIFICATE IN THE FORM 7 PRESCRIBED BY THE PRESIDENT JUDGE, CERTIFYING THAT SUCH PERSON 8 IS QUALIFIED TO PERFORM HIS DUTIES AS REQUIRED BY THIS TITLE. 9 SUCH CERTIFICATE SHALL BE FILED WITH THE PRESIDENT JUDGE. IN THE 10 EVENT THAT A WARRANT OFFICER FAILS TO OBTAIN AND FILE SUCH 11 CERTIFICATE WITHIN NINE MONTHS AFTER HIS APPOINTMENT, SAID 12 OFFICE OF WARRANT OFFICER SHALL BE VACANT AND SUCH VACANCY TO BE 13 FILLED AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 2983 (RELATING TO VACANCIES). 14 (D) FIREARMS TRAINING.-- 15 (1) WARRANT OFFICERS SHALL COMPLETE A COURSE OF TRAINING 16 AND INSTRUCTION IN THE USE OF FIREARMS AS JOINTLY PRESCRIBED 17 BY THE PRESIDENT JUDGE AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE AND 18 SHALL SUCCESSFULLY PASS AN EXAMINATION WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER 19 APPOINTMENT IN ORDER TO CARRY OR USE A FIREARM IN THE 20 PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES. 21 (2) THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION SHALL INCLUDE AT LEAST 35 22 HOURS OF TRAINING PROVIDED BY THE STATE POLICE OR 23 PHILADELPHIA POLICE CONSISTENT WITH THE TRAINING PROGRAM 24 PROVIDED UNDER THE ACT OF OCTOBER 10, 1974 (P.L.705, NO.235), 25 KNOWN AS THE "LETHAL WEAPONS TRAINING ACT." 26 (3) THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE MAY WAIVE THESE 27 REQUIREMENTS OR ANY PORTION THEREOF UPON THE DEMONSTRATION BY 28 THE WARRANT OFFICER THAT HE HAS TAKEN AND SUCCESSFULLY 29 COMPLETED A COMPARABLE TRAINING PROGRAM. 30 (4) WARRANT OFFICERS SHALL COMPLETE A CONTINUING 19780H2538B3573 - 40 -
1 FIREARMS EDUCATION PROGRAM AS JOINTLY PRESCRIBED BY THE 2 PRESIDENT JUDGE AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE. 3 (E) CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENT.--WARRANT OFFICERS 4 SHALL PARTICIPATE IN A CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM AS JOINTLY 5 PRESCRIBED BY THE PRESIDENT JUDGE AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE. 6 (F) COSTS.--THE COST OF FIREARM TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION 7 SHALL BE PAID BY THE WARRANT OFFICER WHO SHALL BE REIMBURSED BY 8 THE COMMONWEALTH UPON THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE COURSE. 9 THE COST OF THE OTHER TRAINING REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION SHALL BE 10 PAID BY THE CONSTABLE. 11 § 2985. DEPUTY WARRANT OFFICERS. 12 (A) APPOINTMENT.--A WARRANT OFFICER MAY REQUEST, UPON A 13 DEMONSTRATION OF NEED, AUTHORIZATION FROM THE PRESIDENT JUDGE TO 14 APPOINT UP TO FOUR DEPUTIES. THE WARRANT OFFICER MAY APPOINT 15 SUCH DEPUTIES WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT JUDGE. 16 (B) QUALIFICATIONS.--A DEPUTY WARRANT OFFICER SHALL BE 17 SUBJECT TO THE SAME STANDARDS REQUIRED OF A WARRANT OFFICER AND 18 SHALL PRESENT EVIDENCE OF HAVING MET THOSE REQUIREMENTS PRIOR TO 19 RECEIVING HIS COMMISSION. A DEPUTY SO APPOINTED SHALL BE SUBJECT 20 TO REMOVAL UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES PROVIDED FOR 21 WARRANT OFFICERS. 22 (C) POWERS AND DUTIES.--A DEPUTY WARRANT OFFICER SHALL HAVE 23 THE SAME POWERS AND DUTIES AS A WARRANT OFFICER EXCEPT THAT THE 24 DEPUTY MAY NOT APPOINT ANOTHER DEPUTY. 25 ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL MATTERS 26 § 2986. PRIORITY OF WARRANT OFFICER BUSINESS. 27 A WARRANT OFFICER SHALL DEVOTE THE TIME NECESSARY FOR PROMPT 28 AND PROPER DISPOSITION OF THE BUSINESS OF HIS OFFICE, WHICH 29 SHOULD BE GIVEN PRIORITY OVER ANY OTHER OCCUPATION, BUSINESS, 30 PROFESSION, PURSUIT OR ACTIVITY. 19780H2538B3573 - 41 -
1 § 2987. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RELATING TO FEES. 2 THE PRESIDENT JUDGE SHALL ESTABLISH BY RULE POLICIES AND 3 PROCEDURES FOR THE COLLECTION AND PAYMENT OF WARRANT OFFICERS 4 FEES. SUCH PROCEDURES SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO 5 PROVIDING ADEQUATE RECORDING, AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES 6 AS TO FEES PAID TO AND COLLECTED BY WARRANT OFFICERS. 7 § 2988. RECORDS. 8 EACH WARRANT OFFICER SHALL MAINTAIN ACCURATE RECORDS 9 REGARDING ALL THE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY HIM AND HIS DEPUTIES. 10 SUCH RECORDS SHALL BE OPEN FOR INSPECTION BY THE PRESIDENT 11 JUDGE. 12 § 2989. REGISTRATION AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS. 13 EACH CONSTABLE AND DEPUTY CONSTABLE SHOULD BE REGISTERED AND 14 ISSUED AN IDENTIFICATION CARD AND BADGE BY THE PRESIDENT JUDGE. 15 § 2990. DISTRIBUTION OF PROCESS TO BE SERVED. 16 (A) WITHIN PHILADELPHIA.--THE PRESIDENT JUDGE SHALL PROVIDE 17 FOR AN EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF PROCESS TO BE SERVED AMONG THE 18 WARRANT OFFICERS REGARDLESS OF THE SOURCE FROM WHICH THE PROCESS 19 EMANATES. ALL PROCESS TO BE SERVED EMANATING FROM A DISTRICT 20 JUSTICE OR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS SHALL BE ASSIGNED IN AN 21 EQUITABLE MANNER BY THE PRESIDENT JUDGE. THE PRESIDENT JUDGE MAY 22 ASSIGN PROCESS TO BE SERVED ON A LESS THAN EQUITABLE BASIS BASED 23 ON A MEDICAL PROBLEM OR PERSONAL REQUEST FROM A WARRANT OFFICER. 24 (B) OUTSIDE PHILADELPHIA.--THE PRESIDENT JUDGE MAY TRANSFER 25 THE SERVICE OF PROCESS FOR PERSONS OR ENTITIES RESIDING IN 26 ANOTHER JUDICIAL DISTRICT TO THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL CONSTABLE 27 ADMINISTRATOR FOR THAT DISTRICT, OR IN THE ABSENCE OF A LOCAL 28 CONSTABLE ADMINISTRATOR, TO THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT JUSTICE FOR 29 SERVICE. 30 § 2991. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES GENERALLY. 19780H2538B3573 - 42 -
1 (A) COMPENSATION OF WARRANT OFFICERS.--WARRANT OFFICERS 2 SHALL BE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR SERVICES BY THE PAYMENT OF FEES 3 AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. 4 (B) SPECIFIC FEES.--THE FEES TO BE CHARGED AND RECEIVED BY 5 WARRANT OFFICERS SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS: 6 (1) THE SUM OF $12 FOR THE SERVICE OF ANY CIVIL OR 7 CRIMINAL PROCESS. 8 (2) THE SUM OF $6 FOR THE SERVICE OF ANY ADMINISTRATIVE 9 PROCESS. 10 (3) THE FLAT SUM OF $1.50 FOR MILEAGE FOR THE SERVICE OF 11 ANY CIVIL, CRIMINAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS. 12 (C) MULTIPLE SERVICE OF PROCESS.--IN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL 13 CASES WHEN MULTIPLE PROCESSES ARE SERVED, A WARRANT OFFICER 14 SHALL BE PAID FOR EACH PROCESS SERVED EVEN THOUGH SERVICE MAY BE 15 PERFORMED AT ONE TIME. THE WARRANT OFFICER SHALL BE PAID ONLY 16 ONE MILEAGE FEE. 17 (D) SERVICES PERFORMED BY MORE THAN ONE WARRANT OFFICER.-- 18 WHEN A SERVICE IS PERFORMED BY MORE THAN ONE WARRANT OFFICER OR 19 DEPUTY UNDER AUTHORIZATION OF THE PRESIDENT JUDGE, COMPENSATION 20 SHALL BE PAYABLE FOR EACH WARRANT OFFICER AT THE FEE PROVIDED IN 21 SUBSECTION (B). 22 (E) SERVICE OF PROCESS BY MAIL.--WHEN SERVICE OF PROCESS IS 23 AUTHORIZED BY MAIL, THE COSTS OF POSTAGE SHALL BE IMPOSED UPON 24 THE PARTY INSTITUTING THE PROCEEDINGS. SUCH COSTS SHALL BE 25 RECOVERABLE BY THE PREVAILING PARTY. 26 (F) PAYMENT FOR SERVICES PERFORMED.-- 27 (1) A WARRANT OFFICER SHALL BE COMPENSATED ACCORDING TO 28 THE FEES PROVIDED FOR IN THIS SECTION BY THE TRAFFIC COURT 29 WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE TIME THE COURT HAS RECEIVED PAYMENT 30 FOR THE SERVICE PERFORMED. IF THE TRAFFIC COURT SUSPENDS THE 19780H2538B3573 - 43 -
1 FEE FOR THE SERVICE PERFORMED BY THE WARRANT OFFICER, THE FEE 2 SHALL BE PAID BY THE COUNTY. 3 (2) THE PRESIDENT JUDGE SHALL PRESCRIBE RULES FOR THE 4 PAYMENT OF WARRANT OFFICER'S FEES FOR CASES WHERE PAYMENT IS 5 ORDERED BY THE COURT ON AN INSTALLMENT BASIS. 6 (G) FEE ASSESSMENT.--AN ADDITIONAL $1 FEE SHALL BE CHARGED 7 TO ALL PERSONS ON WHOM A PROCESS IS SUCCESSFULLY SERVED, UNLESS 8 ACQUITTED, WHICH FEE SHALL BE PAID INTO THE COMMONWEALTH'S 9 GENERAL FUND. THIS FEE SHALL NOT BE SUSPENDED. 10 POWERS AND DUTIES 11 § 2992. SERVICE OF PROCESS. 12 (A) GENERAL POWER.--A WARRANT OFFICER SHALL HAVE THE DUTY, 13 OBLIGATION AND AUTHORITY TO SERVE AND EXECUTE CIVIL, 14 ADMINISTRATIVE AND CRIMINAL PROCESS ISSUED BY THE TRAFFIC COURT 15 OR A DISTRICT JUSTICE. 16 (B) SUPREME COURT TO PROMULGATE RULES.--THE SUPREME COURT 17 SHALL PROMULGATE PROCEDURAL RULES RELATING TO THE SERVICE OF 18 PROCESS ISSUED BY THE TRAFFIC COURT AND THE SERVICE OF PROCESS 19 BY MAIL. 20 (C) CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS.--A WARRANT OFFICER IS 21 AUTHORIZED TO SERVE CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS WITHIN THE 22 FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE PROCESS 23 EMANATES FROM SUCH JUDICIAL DISTRICT. 24 (D) CRIMINAL PROCESS.--A WARRANT OFFICER IS AUTHORIZED TO 25 SERVE CRIMINAL PROCESS ANYWHERE IN THIS COMMONWEALTH WHEN THE 26 PROCESS IS ISSUED FROM HIS JUDICIAL DISTRICT. 27 § 2993. ACCEPTANCE OF SECURITY. 28 A WARRANT OFFICER IS AUTHORIZED TO ACCEPT SECURITY FOR A 29 DEFENDANT'S APPEARANCE BEFORE THE TRAFFIC COURT. 30 § 2994. UNLAWFUL ACTS RELATIVE TO WARRANT OFFICERS. 19780H2538B3573 - 44 -
1 ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY, WILLFULLY AND FORCIBLY OBSTRUCTS, 2 RESISTS OR OPPOSES ANY WARRANT OFFICER IN SERVING OR ATTEMPTING 3 TO SERVE OR EXECUTE ANY LEGAL PROCESS OR ORDER; OR IN MAKING A 4 LAWFUL ARREST WITH OR WITHOUT A WARRANT; OR ASSAULTS ANY DULY 5 AUTHORIZED WARRANT OFFICER, IN SERVING OR EXECUTING ANY SUCH 6 LEGAL PROCESS OR ORDER OR BECAUSE OF HAVING SERVED OR EXECUTED 7 THE SAME; OR RESCUES ANOTHER IN LEGAL CUSTODY; SHALL BE GUILTY 8 OF A MISDEMEANOR OF THE THIRD DEGREE AND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO 9 ARREST ON VIEW BY A WARRANT OFFICER OR OTHER AUTHORIZED PEACE 10 OFFICER. 11 § 2995. RECOVERY OF CERTAIN VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS AND LICENSES. 12 A WARRANT OFFICER SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND DUTY TO RECOVER 13 EXPIRED, SUSPENDED, OR REVOKED VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS AND 14 LICENSES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. THE DEPARTMENT 15 SHALL NOTIFY IN WRITING THE PRESIDENT JUDGE TO RECOVER ALL 16 SUSPENDED OR REVOKED VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS AND LICENSES IN THE 17 FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT. 18 § 2996. POWER TO CARRY AND USE A FIREARM. 19 A WARRANT OFFICER SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO CARRY AND USE A 20 FIREARM IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES UPON THE SUCCESSFUL 21 COMPLETION OF THE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN SECTION 22 2984 (RELATING TO EDUCATION AND TRAINING). A WARRANT OFFICER 23 SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME REQUIREMENTS AND STATUTES PROVIDED 24 FOR POLICE OFFICERS IN REGARD TO LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF 25 FIREARMS. THE WARRANT OFFICER MAY CARRY AND USE A FIREARM DURING 26 HIS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE WHILE INVOLVED IN THE COURSE OF 27 INSTRUCTION UPON RECEIPT OF WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT 28 JUDGE. 29 SECTION 6. INITIAL APPOINTMENTS TO CONSTABLES EDUCATION BOARD. 30 NOTWITHSTANDING THOSE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 2142(B) (RELATING 19780H2538B3573 - 45 -
1 TO TERMS OF OFFICE) OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CONSTABLES EDUCATION 2 BOARD, THE INITIAL APPOINTEES TO THE BOARD SHALL SERVE THE 3 FOLLOWING TERMS: 4 (1) THE CONSTABLE MEMBERS - 5 YEARS. 5 (2) THE DISTRICT JUSTICE MEMBER - 3 YEARS. 6 (3) THE OTHER THREE MEMBERS - 4 YEARS. 7 SECTION 7. TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS. 8 (A) ANY CONSTABLE IN OFFICE ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS 9 ACT SHALL REMAIN IN OFFICE UNTIL THE FIRST MONDAY IN JANUARY 10 1980. ANY CONSTABLE ELECTED FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS 11 ACT WHO HAS PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS A CONSTABLE FOR A PERIOD OF AT 12 LEAST FOUR YEARS SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE INITIAL EDUCATIONAL 13 AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 2945 (RELATING TO EDUCATION 14 AND TRAINING). 15 (B) ANY WRIT SERVER IN OFFICE ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS 16 ACT SHALL REMAIN IN OFFICE AS A WARRANT OFFICER UNTIL THE FIRST 17 MONDAY IN JANUARY 1980 AT WHICH TIME THEY SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR 18 APPOINTMENT TO SIX-YEAR TERMS. ANY WARRANT OFFICER WHO HAS 19 SERVED PREVIOUSLY AS A WRIT SERVER FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST FOUR 20 YEARS SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE INITIAL EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING 21 REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 2984 (RELATING TO EDUCATION AND 22 TRAINING). 23 SECTION 8. REPEALS. 24 (A) THE FOLLOWING ACTS OR PARTS OF ACTS ARE REPEALED 25 ABSOLUTELY: 26 ACT OF MARCH 1, 1799 (3 SM.L.354, CH.2012), ENTITLED "A 27 SUPPLEMENT TO THE ACT, ENTITLED 'AN ACT TO EXTEND THE POWERS OF 28 THE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE OF THIS STATE.'" 29 SECTIONS 12 AND 19, ACT OF MARCH 20, 1810 (P.L.208, NO.132), 30 ENTITLED "AN ACT TO AMEND AND CONSOLIDATE WITH ITS SUPPLEMENTS, 19780H2538B3573 - 46 -
1 THE ACT ENTITLED 'AN ACT FOR THE RECOVERY OF DEBTS AND DEMANDS, 2 NOT EXCEEDING ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS, BEFORE A JUSTICE OF THE 3 PEACE, AND FOR THE ELECTION OF CONSTABLES, AND FOR OTHER 4 PURPOSES.'" 5 ACT OF JANUARY 21, 1814 (P.L.28, NO.9), ENTITLED "AN ACT 6 ALLOWING COMPENSATION FOR CONSTABLES FOR ATTENDING THE SEVERAL 7 COURTS WITHIN THIS COMMONWEALTH." 8 ACT OF APRIL 24, 1829 (P.L.369, NO.216), ENTITLED "A FURTHER 9 SUPPLEMENT TO THE ACT ENTITLED AN ACT TO AMEND AND CONSOLIDATE 10 WITH ITS SUPPLEMENTS, THE ACT ENTITLED AN ACT FOR THE RECOVERY 11 OF DEBTS AND DEMANDS NOT EXCEEDING ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS BEFORE A 12 JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, AND FOR THE ELECTION OF CONSTABLES AND FOR 13 OTHER PURPOSES." 14 SECTIONS 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, ACT OF APRIL 15 15, 1834 (P.L.537, NO.247), ENTITLED "AN ACT RELATING TO 16 COUNTIES AND TOWNSHIPS, AND COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP OFFICERS." 17 SECTION 14, ACT OF MAY 27, 1841 (P.L.400, NO.141), ENTITLED 18 "AN ACT RELATING TO THE ELECTION OF COUNTY TREASURERS, AND FOR 19 OTHER PURPOSES." 20 SECTION 19, ACT OF APRIL 22, 1850 (P.L. 549, NO.342), 21 ENTITLED "A SUPPLEMENT TO AN ACT, ENTITLED 'AN ACT TO PREVENT 22 WASTE IN CERTAIN CASES WITHIN THIS COMMONWEALTH,' PASSED THE 23 TWENTY-NINTH DAY OF MARCH, ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND 24 TWENTY-TWO; TO LAND AND BUILDING ASSOCIATIONS; GIVING THE COURT 25 OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY JURISDICTION IN A CERTAIN CASE; RELATIVE 26 TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN CERTAIN CASES; TO PARTY WALLS IN 27 WEST PHILADELPHIA; TO THE PROOF OF A CERTAIN WILL; TO THE SALE 28 AND PURCHASE OF CERTAIN BURIAL GROUNDS IN PHILADELPHIA; TO THE 29 LAYING OF GAS PIPES IN THE DISTRICT OF MOYAMENSING; TO THE 30 RELEASE OF CERTAIN SURETIES IN ERIE COUNTY; TO THE STATE LUNATIC 19780H2538B3573 - 47 -
1 HOSPITAL; RELATIVE TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS AGAINST SHERIFFS; 2 TO THE RIGHTS OF MARRIED WOMEN; TO GROUND RENTS; AND RELATING TO 3 FOREIGN INSURANCE COMPANIES." 4 ACT OF FEBRUARY 14, 1889 (P.L.6, NO.5), ENTITLED "AN ACT TO 5 AUTHORIZE THE ELECTION OF CONSTABLES FOR THREE YEARS." 6 ACT OF MAY 4, 1889 (P.L.83, NO.79), ENTITLED "AN ACT TO 7 AUTHORIZE THE ELECTION OF CONSTABLES FOR THREE YEARS IN CITIES 8 OF THE SECOND AND THIRD CLASS." 9 ACT OF JUNE 4, 1897 (P.L.121, NO.101), ENTITLED "AN ACT 10 RELATING TO BOROUGHS, PROVIDING A METHOD OF PROCEDURE FOR 11 VIOLATIONS OF LAW AND BOROUGH ORDINANCES, AND FOR THE COLLECTION 12 OF THE FINES AND PENALTIES IMPOSED FOR SAID VIOLATIONS." 13 ACT OF JULY 14, 1897 (P.L.266, NO.209), ENTITLED "AN ACT TO 14 REGULATE THE REMUNERATION OF POLICEMEN AND CONSTABLES EMPLOYED 15 AS POLICEMEN THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND 16 PROHIBITING THEM FROM CHARGING OR ACCEPTING ANY FEE OR OTHER 17 COMPENSATION, IN ADDITION TO THEIR SALARY, EXCEPT AS PUBLIC 18 REWARDS AND MILEAGE FOR TRAVELING EXPENSES." 19 ACT OF FEBRUARY 17, 1899 (P.L.3, NO.1), ENTITLED "AN ACT TO 20 FIX, REGULATE AND ESTABLISH THE FEES TO BE CHARGED AND RECEIVED 21 BY CONSTABLES IN THIS COMMONWEALTH." 22 ACT OF MAY 2, 1901 (P.L.131, NO.98), ENTITLED "AN ACT TO FIX, 23 REGULATE AND ESTABLISH THE FEES TO BE CHARGED AND RECEIVED BY 24 CONSTABLES IN THIS COMMONWEALTH FOR EXECUTING AN ORDER OF RELIEF 25 OF A PAUPER." 26 ACT OF APRIL 25, 1905 (P.L.309, NO.214), ENTITLED "AN ACT 27 AUTHORIZING POLICEMEN TO HOLD AND EXERCISE THE OFFICE OF 28 CONSTABLES." 29 ACT OF APRIL 23, 1909 (P.L.151, NO.104), ENTITLED "AN ACT 30 FIXING THE FEES TO BE RECEIVED BY CONSTABLES IN THIS 19780H2538B3573 - 48 -
1 COMMONWEALTH." 2 ACT OF JUNE 9, 1911 (P.L.727, NO.299), ENTITLED "AN ACT 3 AUTHORIZING THE ELECTION IN FIRST CLASS TOWNSHIPS OF AN 4 ADDITIONAL CONSTABLE, AND FIXING HIS TERM." 5 ACT OF JUNE 19, 1913 (P.L.534, NO.342), ENTITLED "AN ACT 6 RELATING TO APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY CONSTABLES." 7 ACT OF JULY 20, 1917 (P.L.1158, NO.401), ENTITLED "AN ACT TO 8 FIX, REGULATE, AND ESTABLISH THE FEES TO BE CHARGED AND RECEIVED 9 BY CONSTABLES IN THIS COMMONWEALTH." 10 ACT OF MAY 31, 1919 (P.L.357, NO.171), ENTITLED "AN ACT 11 RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF CONSTABLES IN CERTAIN COUNTIES; 12 PROHIBITING THEM FROM MAKING RETURNS TO THE COURT OF QUARTER 13 SESSIONS IN CERTAIN CASES; AUTHORIZING THE COURT TO DIRECT 14 INVESTIGATIONS AND REPORTS BY CONSTABLES, AND FIXING THEIR 15 COMPENSATION IN SUCH CASES." 16 SECTION 14, ACT OF JUNE 28, 1923 (P.L.903, NO.348), ENTITLED 17 "A SUPPLEMENT TO AN ACT, APPROVED THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF MAY, ONE 18 THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN (PAMPHLET LAWS, THREE HUNDRED 19 AND TWELVE), ENTITLED 'AN ACT PROVIDING A SYSTEM FOR GOVERNMENT 20 OF BOROUGHS, AND REVISING, AMENDING, AND CONSOLIDATING THE LAW 21 RELATING TO BOROUGHS'; SO AS TO PROVIDE A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT 22 WHERE A BOROUGH NOW HAS ANNEXED OR HEREAFTER SHALL ANNEX LAND IN 23 AN ADJOINING COUNTY, INCLUDING ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY, LEVYING 24 AND COLLECTION OF TAXES, MAKING MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS, AND 25 FILING AND COLLECTING OF LIENS FOR THE SAME; THE JURISDICTION OF 26 COURTS FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF BOROUGH ORDINANCES AND STATE LAWS, 27 AND PRIMARY, GENERAL, MUNICIPAL, AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS; AND 28 REPEALING INCONSISTENT LAWS." 29 ACT OF MARCH 20, 1929 (P.L.32, NO.32), ENTITLED "AN ACT 30 PROVIDING FOR THE FILLING OF VACANCIES IN THE OFFICE OF 19780H2538B3573 - 49 -
1 CONSTABLE IN ANY BOROUGH, TOWN, WARD OF ANY CITY, BOROUGH, OR 2 TOWN OR TOWNSHIP OF THIS COMMONWEALTH." 3 ACT OF FEBRUARY 28, 1933 (P.L.5, NO.3), ENTITLED "AN ACT 4 RELATING TO CONSTABLES' RETURNS TO THE COURT OF QUARTER 5 SESSIONS." 6 ACT OF MAY 26, 1943 (P.L.637, NO.280), ENTITLED "AN ACT 7 PROVIDING THAT THE TERMS OF CONSTABLES HEREAFTER ELECTED IN 8 CITIES OF THE SECOND, SECOND CLASS A AND THIRD CLASSES, BOROUGHS 9 AND TOWNSHIPS, SHALL BE FOR SIX YEARS." 10 SECTION 1126, ACT OF FEBRUARY 1, 1966 (1965 P.L.1656, 11 NO.581), ENTITLED "AN ACT CONCERNING BOROUGHS, AND REVISING, 12 AMENDING AND CONSOLIDATING THE LAW RELATING TO BOROUGHS." 13 SECTION 18, ACT OF JULY 9, 1976 (P.L.586, NO.142), ENTITLED 14 "AN ACT AMENDING TITLES 42 (JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE), 15 15 (CORPORATIONS AND UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS), 18 (CRIMES 16 AND OFFENSES) AND 71 (STATE GOVERNMENT) OF THE PENNSYLVANIA 17 CONSOLIDATED STATUTES, ADDING REVISED, CODIFIED AND COMPILED 18 PROVISIONS RELATING TO JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE, 19 INCLUDING CERTAIN JUDICIALLY ENFORCEABLE RIGHTS, DUTIES, 20 IMMUNITIES AND LIABILITIES AND SEPARATELY ENACTING CERTAIN 21 RELATED PROVISIONS OF LAW." 22 (B) THE FOLLOWING ACTS OR PARTS OF ACTS ARE REPEALED INSOFAR 23 AS THEY RELATE TO CONSTABLES: 24 SECTIONS 3 AND 7, ACT OF MARCH 4, 1824 (P.L.32, NO.31), 25 ENTITLED "A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ACT ENTITLED 'AN ACT LAYING A DUTY 26 ON THE RETAILERS OF FOREIGN MERCHANDISE.'" 27 SECTION 9, ACT OF APRIL 12, 1825 (P.L.247, NO.132), ENTITLED 28 "AN ACT MORE EFFECTUALLY TO SECURE THE COLLECTION OF THE REVENUE 29 FROM TAVERN LICENSES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." 30 SECTIONS 107, 108, ACT OF APRIL 15, 1834 (P.L.537, NO.247), 19780H2538B3573 - 50 -
1 ENTITLED "AN ACT RELATING TO COUNTIES AND TOWNSHIPS, AND COUNTY 2 AND TOWNSHIP OFFICERS." 3 ACT OF MAY 3, 1850 (P.L.666, NO.390), ENTITLED "AN ACT 4 REGULATING THE MUNICIPAL AND OTHER ELECTIONS IN THE CITY OF 5 PHILADELPHIA, AND TO ESTABLISH AN UNIFORM SYSTEM OF POLICE FOR 6 THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA AND THE DISTRICTS OF SOUTHWARK, 7 MOYAMENSING, SPRING GARDEN, PENN TOWNSHIP, THE INCORPORATED 8 NORTHERN LIBERTIES AND KENSINGTON." 9 SECTION 17, ACT OF APRIL 3, 1851 (P.L.320, NO.218), ENTITLED 10 "AN ACT REGULATING BOROUGHS." 11 ACT OF APRIL 21, 1855 (P.L.283, NO.297), ENTITLED "AN ACT 12 ESTABLISHING FEES FOR COMMITMENTS TO HOUSES OF REFUGE." 13 ACT OF MARCH 12, 1866 (P.L.182, NO.154), ENTITLED "AN ACT 14 RELATIVE TO DUTIES AND POWERS OF CONSTABLES AND RAILROAD 15 CONDUCTORS, IN THE COUNTIES OF ERIE, CRAWFORD, LUZERNE, 16 SUSQUEHANNA AND PIKE." 17 ACT OF MAY 10, 1878 (P.L.51, NO.72), ENTITLED "A SUPPLEMENT 18 TO AN ACT, ENTITLED 'AN ACT TO PRESCRIBE THE MANNER IN WHICH THE 19 COURTS MAY DIVIDE BOROUGHS INTO WARDS,' APPROVED THE FOURTEENTH 20 DAY OF MAY, ANNO DOMINI ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVENTY- 21 FOUR." 22 ACT OF APRIL 24, 1885 (P.L.9, NO.11), ENTITLED "AN ACT TO 23 AMEND AN ACT, ENTITLED 'AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE DESTRUCTION, 24 AND TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF CANADA THISTLES,' APPROVED THE 25 TWENTY-SECOND DAY OF MARCH, ANNO DOMINI ONE THOUSAND EIGHT 26 HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO." 27 SECTION 3, ACT OF MAY 19, 1887 (P.L.138, NO.82), ENTITLED "AN 28 ACT PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT OF COSTS IN CRIMINAL CASES BY THE 29 PROPER COUNTY." 30 ACT OF FEBRUARY 12, 1889 (P.L.3, NO.1), ENTITLED "AN ACT TO 19780H2538B3573 - 51 -
1 PROVIDE FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE TERMS OF OFFICE OF 2 COUNCILMEN, CONSTABLES AND SCHOOL DIRECTORS IN NEW WARDS, WHEN 3 ERECTED IN CITIES OF THE FIRST CLASS UNDER EXISTING LAWS AND 4 WHERE THE SEVERAL WARDS CONSTITUTE SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TO 5 PROVIDE FOR THE SUPERVISION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN SUCH NEW 6 WARDS UNTIL THE ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS OF 7 THE NEW SCHOOL SECTION, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE TERM OF 8 COUNCILMEN AND CONSTABLES ALREADY ELECTED BY THE VOTERS OF THE 9 OLD WARD." 10 SECTION 4, ACT OF MAY 11, 1927 (P.L.968, NO.461), ENTITLED 11 "AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF PUBLIC 12 DANCE HALLS AND BALLROOMS, AND FOR THE REGULATION AND 13 SUPERVISION OF PUBLIC DANCES AND BALLS, IN TOWNSHIPS." 14 SECTION 2005, ACT OF JUNE 23, 1931 (P.L.932, NO.317), KNOWN 15 AS "THE THIRD CLASS CITY CODE." 16 SECTION 1401, ACT OF JUNE 24, 1931 (P.L.1206, NO.331), KNOWN 17 AS "THE FIRST CLASS TOWNSHIP CODE." 18 SECTIONS 1207, 1220, 1811, 1821, 1822, ACT OF JUNE 3, 1937 19 (P.L.1333, NO.320), KNOWN AS THE "PENNSYLVANIA ELECTION CODE." 20 SECTIONS 234, 1121, ACT OF FEBRUARY 1, 1966 (1965 P.L.1656, 21 NO.581), KNOWN AS "THE BOROUGH CODE." 22 TITLE 51, SECTION 6108 (RELATING TO LIABILITY OF PUBLIC 23 OFFICERS FOR NONEXECUTION OF PROCESS), ACT OF NOVEMBER 25, 1970 24 (P.L.707, NO.230), KNOWN AS THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED 25 STATUTES. 26 SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE. 27 THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 1, 1979. E31L14CVV/19780H2538B3573 - 52 -