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For Immediate
Release
6/25/09
Ward Bill Provides Option for Local State Police Coverage
Harrisburg - Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) today introduced
legislation to give municipalities the option to have police protection and
services by the Pennsylvania State Police.
Ward's bill allows municipalities without police
departments to contract with the State Police for a permanent state trooper
presence in their communities.
Senate Bill 984 establishes a State Trooper Services
Contractual Program under the supervision of the State Police to provide
troopers above the current complement of officers to perform patrol duties
within the contracting municipality.
"Municipal governments need options, not dictates from
Harrisburg," said Ward, who contrasted her proposal with several bills
introduced in the House of Representatives that would mandate municipalities
into a one-size-fits-all solution.
"My bill will give local governments an additional option
to address the issue of police protection," the senator said. "As a result of
the additional troopers, there will be more officers on the street to assist all
municipalities." Currently, municipalities with police departments rely on
state police resources as back up for public safety emergencies and serious
crimes.
Highlights of Senator Ward's legislation:
- Applies to municipalities that do not have an
organized police department.
- Requires the contract cost as labor and benefit costs
of troopers assigned.
- Troopers assigned will be above the complement cap.
- Monies will go to a restricted fund to hire and train
state troopers.
- Troopers assigned will remain under State Police
command structure, but will not be removed from the contracted area unless
extreme emergency requires the redeployment.
Hempfield
Township Supervisor Doug Weimer stated, "Hempfield Township established a public
safety task force as a proactive measure to recent state legislative efforts to
impose fees for current State Police protection. As the task force prepares its
report on the status of public safety in the Township and its recommendations
for the future, it would be beneficial to have legislation that would allow
Hempfield the option to contract with the State Police."
Contact:
Tom Aikens, Communications Director
724-600-7002 (Office)
724-205-9007 (Cell)
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