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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 8, 2022 10:39 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jared G. Solomon |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Addressing Staffing Shortages within the Philadelphia Police Department |
| Police departments across Pennsylvania are experiencing historic shortages of officers and nowhere is this shortage more impactful than the City of Philadelphia. In 2015, the Philadelphia Police Department had 6,600 sworn officers and 800 civilian personnel, but this year the department is operating with just 5,900 sworn officers and 600 civilian personnel. Staffing shortages have affected the ability of the department to not only respond to calls and clear cases, but to build important relationship with the communities they serve. In order to address this shortage, I will be introducing legislation to create the Retired Police Officer Program, which would permit a police department in Philadelphia to allow retired police officers to return to work. To be eligible to participate in this program, retired officers cannot have a record of any unacceptable behavior and must complete an eight-week training course to be established by the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission. Participation in this program would not affect any of the benefits a retired officer receives from a municipal retirement system. To better protect our communities and obtain justice for crime victims, our police departments must be adequately staffed with responsible and qualified officers. This legislation will provide some of our most experienced officers the opportunity to return to the police force at a time where their service is more valuable than ever. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation to support our police departments and keep our communities safe.  |
Introduced as HB2830