This is a list of law enforcement agencies in the state of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania says it has more police departments than any other state in the country.[1] According to the US Bureau of Justice Statistics' 2008 Census of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies, the state had 1,117 law enforcement agencies employing 27,413 sworn police officers, about 218 for each 100,000 residents.[2]
The Pennsylvania State Police have State Troopers who are certified to investigate Arson. Some local Fire Departments have Arson Investigators, however, their power is limited.
Note: This includes Federal Agencies that operate in PA, as well as state, local & private agencies. These Law Enforcement Agencies have full Police Powers. Many school districts have their own Police Force, districts that do not employ or have their own Police Force usually rely on the local police departments to supply a police officer, known as "School Resource Officers". Many County Sheriff's office's hire Armed Security Guards who are given Limited Law Enforcement Power. Humane Police Officers have Level 1 and Level 2 Officers. The SPCA's listed here are Level 1 Humane Police Officers who are Armed and have gone thru a (ACT 120-Certified)* Police Academy and authorized with full Police Powers. Level 2 Humane Officers are unarmed, have limited training and have limited Police Powers. Housing Police also have Armed Police Officers, Level 1,who have gone thru a (Act 120- Certified) Police Academy and have full Police Powers and level 2 Police Officers who are usually unarmed with limited Police Authority. The Pennsylvania Court of Pleas (County Courts) will not swear in any Level 1 Police Officer, unless that individual has gone thru a Act 120-Certified Police Academy. Several joint municipalities hire sanitation police. Some counties also hire security guards with limited Powers. Some Hospitals have a police force to patrol their facilities and neighborhood.
Note* Act 120, refers to the enrollment and completion of a Pennsylvania Standard Police Academy or it's equivalent in Any state or Federal Organization.
There are also Private Communities in Northeast Pennsylvania that employ a private security force. These Agencies use various terms such as Department of Public Safety, Department of Community Safety, Department of Security, Community Rangers, Code Enforcement, etc. These Agencies ARE NOT Police nor sworn officers. These agencies are basically a security force for the community. Some are Armed, or (Pennsylvania ACT 235- which is a "Armed" security guard act), and drive in vehicles with red and blue emergency lights.* Since these vehicle operate on community or the private property in the community, the vehicles are immune from the Pennsylvania Emergency Vehicle statues, 4701 and 4702. However, these vehicles are not licensed as state emergency vehicles and cannot leave the property of the community. Several of these Departments are Hemlock Farms, Indian Head Estates, Sawcreek Estates, Wild Aces Estates, Pocono Lands etc.These Security Guard departments are not covered under the Pennsylvania Qualified Immunity Act.
Controversy: There has been a lot of controversy regarding private security officers in private communities impersonating Law Enforcement and acting within the scope of local police departments without justification. Ie: Motor Vehicles stops, responding to Criminal complaints, issuing of summons**. Many of the security guards have been arrested for impersonating Police Officers and unauthorized Vehicle warning lights. Because of the Pennsylvania state terminology for armed security guards (Act 235-Agent)***, many security guards feel empowered and entitled to identify as state agents.
Notes:* Private community vehicles with Vehicle warning lights, red and blue, are usually reserved for Pennsylvania Police Departments, and currently, the State Attorney General has made a recommendation to remove all red and blue warning lights and replace with amber or green warning lights instead. This is due with many vacationers coming in from our of state and believing private security is law enforcement.
Notes:**Citations issued by security guards on or in private communities such as Hemlock Farms, Pine Ridge, or Sawcreek Estates, are issued by the Homeowners Association,cwhich is similar to a property management association and have no criminal or legal standing in District Court or Pennsylvania Motor Vehicles.
Notes: *** Act 235 is called the 1974 Lethal Weapons Agent. It was designed for armed couriers of financial institutions such as banks and armored car carriers to be certified and allowed to carry Firearms in the performance of their jobs. The wording reflects a banks "Agent" to protect the property of said financial institution. The act does not allow an employee to carry a firearm, (The employee must also have a firearms carry permit), the act refers to the training or certification to carry a firearm in the performance on of non-sworn officers or "Agent of a private company". There is a current political movement to change this title to armed security courier or officer.
There are also Amusement Parks whose security guards have limited Powers, such as removal of persons or securing property.
Allentown Fairgrounds Patrol
Dorney Park Patrol
Lehigh Valley Law Enforcement Association
Philadelphia Zoo
Vehicles: Under Pennsylvania Title 4701 & 4702, only authorized Police vehicles may use Emergency Warning Vehicles with Red and Blue Lights. With the exception of the State Constable, (Whom use their personal vehicles and are not permitted nor allowed to use any warning lights), the above departments may use Red and Blue Emergency Vehicle Warning lights. Under these statues, the Pennsylvania State Police may recognize a vehicle being used as an "Emergency Vehicle" and issue an Emergency Vehicle designation for said vehicle. Vehicles registered as Emergency Vehicles must carry emergency items, such as road flares, first aid kits, etc. (see PA Emergency Vehicle Designation for complete list of items)
Constables do not belong to any Agency, they are everyday citizens given extraordinary judicial and some Law Enforcement Powers to assist district or local courts to free up Local Police Officers. They are considered self employed and use their own vehicles for work. Constables get reimbursed for all expenses thru the local district court.
State Constables, are also called Pennsylvania State Constables. Constables are local elected officials, (see pa.judical.constable.pa.gov) , who are given authority to act as local bailiffs for the Pennsylvania District Court System. Constables are given the title Pennsylvania State Constables, so they have authority to go anywhere in the state and issue court orders or subpoenas. Constables are given 240 hours of district court training. They are elected for 6 years. Constables are given other Powers to use in their community, such as directing traffic, picking up stray dogs, removal of abandoned cars in their town(s). etc. Constables are not considered to be Police Officers, and a few Constables have been arrested or removed from office for stating or wearing of police insignia. Constables must live in the town in which they were elected, and do have arrest Powers for any warrant or court order they are serving.
^"Police Services". Department of Community and Economic Development. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
^2008 Census of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies, by Brian A Reaves, US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, July 2011
^Part-time Edwardsville cop charged with obstructing emergency services; by James O'Malley, 2 January 2015, Times-Leader
^Fort Indiantown Gap police officer fired after shooting bobcat, turkeys while on duty; by Jeffery Johnson, 28 August 2014, Pennlive.com accessed 3 September 2014
^Embattled Fountain Hill police officer resigns in exchange for $35,000; by Precious Petty, 27 May 2014, The Express-Times
^Official FaceBook page accessed 18 September 2014
^ abcdefghOfficial web site accessed 19 September 2014
^Amid national alarm on police tactics, area arsenals also growing; by Michael Boren, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 27 August 2014
^ abcdefghijklmnOfficial web site accessed 20 September 2014
^Allegheny County official web site accessed 20 September 2014
^Police Officer Files Whistleblower Lawsuit Against Ohioville Borough And Officials; by John Paul, BeaverCountian 23 January 2013, accessed 23 September 2014
^Suicide of police veteran stuns Radnor, Robert "John" Miller was found with a self-inflicted wound, authorities said; 11 September 2014, Phill.com accessed 13 September 2014
^Official Facebook page accessed 24 September 2014
^Chester County official web site accessed 25 September 2014
^"Officials". Scottsdale Brough. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
^"Public Safety". www.lackawanna.edu. All Public Safety officers have been properly trained in the performance of their duties. Training includes Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid certification, and lethal weapons training sufficient to qualify for Pennsylvania ACT 235 certification. Many of the officers are qualified to serve as municipal police officers having completed Pennsylvania's ACT 120 Training. In addition, they periodically attend advanced safety training courses.