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PRINTER'S NO. 146
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
16
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY HUGHES, FARNESE, HAYWOOD AND LEACH,
FEBRUARY 1, 2019
REFERRED TO LAW AND JUSTICE, FEBRUARY 1, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Establishing a task force on law enforcement practices and
procedures used in response to large scale demonstrations,
protests and other acts of civil disobedience.
WHEREAS, The United States is currently engaged in a national
debate on law enforcement policies and practices; and
WHEREAS, High-profile incidents of use of force by law
enforcement have led to numerous demonstrations and protests in
recent months; and
WHEREAS, Several of these demonstrations and protests have
turned violent; and
WHEREAS, These violent demonstrations and protests have
resulted in millions of dollars in property damage, numerous
arrests, physical injuries and, in some cases, death; and
WHEREAS, Law enforcement responses to large-scale but
otherwise peaceful acts of civil disobedience have the potential
to escalate already charged atmospheres; and
WHEREAS, The people of this Commonwealth have a
constitutional right to assemble peacefully; and
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WHEREAS, Law enforcement has a duty and responsibility to
protect the general public from acts of violence, including
riots and militant protests; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth has an obligation to assist law
enforcement in developing best practices to ensure that large-
scale demonstrations do not become violent; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate establish a task force on law
enforcement policies and procedures for responding to large-
scale demonstrations; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force be comprised of six members of
the Senate, three appointed by the President pro tempore of the
Senate and three appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force direct the Joint State
Government Commission to establish an advisory committee
consisting of the following members:
(1) The Commissioner of Pennsylvania State Police or the
commissioner's designee.
(2) The Attorney General or the Attorney General's
designee.
(3) The Adjutant General or the Adjutant General's
designee.
(4) The Director of Homeland Security or the director's
designee.
(5) The police commissioner of a city of the first class
or the commissioner's designee.
(6) The chief of police of a city of the second class or
the chief's designee.
(7) A representative of the Pennsylvania Municipal
League, to be selected by the Joint State Government
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Commission, upon the recommendation of the governing body of
the Pennsylvania Municipal League.
(8) A representative of the County Commissioners
Association of Pennsylvania, to be selected by the Joint
State Government Commission, upon the recommendation of the
governing body of the County Commissioners Association of
Pennsylvania.
(9) Three incumbent chiefs of police from municipal
police departments within this Commonwealth, to be selected
by the Joint State Government Commission, upon the
recommendation of the governing body of the Pennsylvania
Chiefs of Police Association.
(10) An incumbent chief of police of a university or
campus police department within this Commonwealth, to be
selected by the Joint State Government Commission and
approved by the task force.
(11) A current or former Federal law enforcement officer
with experience handling protests and other forms of civil
disobedience, to be selected by the Joint State Government
Commission and approved by the task force.
(12) A current or former member of the United States
Department of Justice Civil Rights Division with experience
investigating, litigating or prosecuting claims of civil
rights violations, to be selected by the Joint State
Government Commission and approved by the task force.
(13) An attorney or legal educator specializing in the
field of civil rights or constitutional law, to be selected
by the Joint State Government Commission and approved by the
task force.
(14) Two representatives of the Pennsylvania Chapter of
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the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People, to be appointed by the Joint State Government
Commission, upon the recommendation of the governing body of
the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People.
(15) Two representatives of the Pennsylvania Chapter of
the American Civil Liberties Union, to be appointed by the
Joint State Government Commission, upon the recommendation of
the governing body of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the
American Civil Liberties Union.
(16) A representative of the Pennsylvania District
Attorneys Association, to be appointed by the Joint State
Government Commission, upon the recommendation of the
governing body of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys
Association.
(17) A representative of the Public Defenders
Association of Pennsylvania, to be selected by the Joint
State Government Commission, upon the recommendation of the
governing body of the Public Defenders Association of
Pennsylvania.
(18) A representative of the Pennsylvania State Troopers
Association, to be selected by the Joint State Government
Commission, upon the recommendation of the governing body of
the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association.
(19) A representative of the Pennsylvania State Lodge
Fraternal Order of Police, to be selected by the Joint State
Government Commission, upon the recommendation of the
governing body of the Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal
Order of Police.
(20) A representative of the Pennsylvania Sheriffs'
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Association, to be selected by the Joint State Government
Commission, upon recommendations of the governing body of the
Pennsylvania Sheriffs' Association;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Commissioner of Pennsylvania State Police
serve as chairperson of the advisory committee; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, working
with the advisory committee, conduct a thorough and
comprehensive study of existing State and local law enforcement
policies and procedures for responding to acts of civil
disobedience, including training and response programs, crowd
control tactics, the use of less-than-lethal force, the issues
set forth in this resolution and other related issues as
determined by the Joint State Government Commission; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, working
with the advisory committee, review the following to identify
the best law enforcement practices for responding to acts of
civil disobedience and the causes of escalation from peaceful
demonstration to violent protest and develop recommendations
best suited for law enforcement agencies in this Commonwealth:
(1) Proposals and policies of other states.
(2) Policies currently in place at law enforcement
agencies in this Commonwealth and other states.
(3) Other resources on the issues of civil disobedience
and law enforcement practices;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission
establish a process by which interested members of the public
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can make suggestions and have input; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force recommend changes to State law,
practices, policies and procedures relating to law enforcement
responses to acts of civil disobedience that are necessary to
ensure the rights and safety of demonstrators, law enforcement
and the general public; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
report of the task force's findings and recommendations to the
Senate within 12 months of the adoption of this resolution.
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