PRINTER'S NO. 2948
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
620
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY JOZWIAK, JAMES, KAUFFMAN, DeLUCA, ZABEL AND
GILLEN, NOVEMBER 22, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, NOVEMBER 22, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study regarding identifying and evaluating all categories of
individuals in this Commonwealth authorized to exercise
arrest or other police powers.
WHEREAS, The safety of the public in this Commonwealth is one
of paramount importance, and to that end the role of
professional, efficient and well-trained police is essential;
and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania State Police, the Office of
Attorney General, municipal police, sheriffs and other
traditional law enforcement agencies honorably labor to fulfill
this function; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the history of this Commonwealth, these
traditional law enforcement agencies have been supplemented by
other individuals authorized to exercise arrest or other police
powers; and
WHEREAS, The range of categories of other individuals
authorized to exercise arrest and other police powers is broad,
including public servants, such as wildlife conservation
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officers and constables, and private individuals authorized with
arrest or other police powers, including humane society police
officers and transportation agency police; and
WHEREAS, The categories of individuals authorized to exercise
arrest or other police powers in current law include forest
rangers, fire wardens, cemetery watchmen and horticultural
exhibit police, among others; and
WHEREAS, The laws establishing these nontraditional
categories of individuals authorized to exercise arrest or other
police powers may be obsolete, benefit from consolidation with
traditional law enforcement agencies or require updated training
requirements; and
WHEREAS, Policymakers in this Commonwealth would benefit from
a complete accounting of all those individuals presently
authorized to exercise arrest or other police powers in this
Commonwealth, as well as a description of the scope of those
powers and the training requirements associated with each;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study regarding
identifying and evaluating all categories of individuals in this
Commonwealth authorized to exercise arrest or other police
powers; and be it further
RESOLVED, That for each category identified, the study shall
determine:
(1) the legal authority, including statutory, regulatory
or common law, authorizing the exercise of arrest or other
police powers;
(2) the appointing authority, if any;
(3) the qualifications for hiring or appointment, as
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appropriate;
(4) the in-service training requirements;
(5) the scope of jurisdiction and arrest or other police
powers authorized;
(6) whether the carrying and use of firearms or other
deadly force is authorized; and
(7) the qualifications and training required relating to
the carrying and use of firearms or other deadly force;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study shall determine, to the extent
possible, the number of individuals serving within each category
during the last five years for which data is available; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the study shall evaluate and make
recommendations regarding whether any category identified has
become obsolete or may be consolidated with one or more other
categories to achieve efficiencies and enhance public safety;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study shall be completed by November 30,
2020.
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