Marsico Measure to Maximize Law Enforcement Resources on Governor’s Desk
HARRISBURG -- Working to enhance the safety of police officers and the public, the General Assembly has approved Rep. Ron Marsico’s (R-Lower Paxton) legislation to maximize the Commonwealth’s law enforcement resources.
Specifically,
House Bill 1738 expands the types of officers who can act outside their jurisdictional boundaries in certain urgent situations. The bill now awaits the governor’s signature to become law.
“Law enforcement agencies across our Commonwealth are facing serious challenges in their efforts to protect public safety, and one of those challenges is manpower,” said Marsico, who serves as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. “This measure will help by facilitating more cooperation among different types of police departments and agencies, ultimately improving public safety for all of us.”
Under current law, municipal police officers are authorized to act beyond their jurisdictional boundaries where an officer is in hot pursuit of a traffic violator or criminal suspect, when requested to lend assistance to another department, when executing a court order or if an officer witnesses a crime being committed while in another jurisdiction on official business. However, the law only applies to those police officers employed by a municipality.
Under House Bill 1738, the types of officers authorized to operate outside of their jurisdiction would be expanded to include non-municipal officers who must receive training and be certified under Act 120, the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Act. This may include officers serving with airport authority, college and university, or certain other police departments, as well as agents in the Office of Attorney General.
“Common sense tells us these well-trained officers who serve us so well within their jurisdictions are certainly capable of coming to the aid of their fellow officers when needed,” Marsico said. “This will only help our police officers as they work to keep our communities safe.”
If signed by the governor, the law would take effect in 60 days.
Representative Ronald Marsico
105th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Autumn R. Southard
717.652.3721
asouthar@pahousegop.com
RonMarsico.com