Pennsylvania Capitol Police
| Pennsylvania State Capitol Police | |
|---|---|
|
Pennsylvania State Capitol Police patch | |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed |
1895 Joseph M. Jacob, Superintendent Kevin J. Brown, Deputy Superintendent |
| Legal personality | Governmental: Government agency |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Legal jurisdiction | Capitol Complex and state office buildings in Philadelphia, and Scranton Also any other state property. |
| General nature |
|
| Specialist jurisdiction | Buildings and lands occupied or explicitly controlled by the institution and the institution's personnel, and public entering the buildings and precincts of the institution. |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters |
70E Capitol East Wing Harrisburg, PA 17125 717-787-3199 Phone 717-787-8637 Fax |
The Pennsylvania State Capitol Police is a section of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services providing law enforcement, security and parking enforcement services to the State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg, and at State government buildings in Philadelphia, and Scranton.[1][2] Their jurisdiction is primarily state owned buildings and property on the Capitol Complex. The Capitol Police jurisdiction will extend to several state owned buildings throughout the city of Harrisburg and local townships.
The Pennsylvania State Capitol Police Force was established in 1895 under Governor Daniel Hartman Hastings, the Commonwealth's 21st Governor. The enactment authorized the Capitol Police as the first Pennsylvania police agency under Commonwealth jurisdiction and the second oldest state police organization in the United States.
Since the Capitol Police was first established in 1895, the responsibilities have grown and they have faced and met many challenges. The State Capitol Police have progressively revised its goals and operations to meet the ever-changing needs of state government and the people it serves.
The Pennsylvania State Capitol Police is a multi-faceted law enforcement entity with varied responsibilities assigned and is charged with achieving a safe environment free of crime, to investigate all crimes committed on state property, to protect and serve employees and visitors while on state property as well as protecting property and grounds throughout the Capitol Complex and at state office buildings in Philadelphia and Scranton. These services are accomplished by foot, K-9, bike and police vehicle patrol. The State Capitol Police patrol several outlying state office buildings in the city of Harrisburg, PA.
The Pennsylvania State Capitol Police has evolved and manifested itself into a highly trained and professional law enforcement organization. The Communication Center of the Capitol Police is a state of the art facility where sophisticated surveillance, security and fire equipment are monitored. The Communication Center through it dispatchers provides the necessary support and response to emergencies as well as disseminating and satisfying the immediate information needs of those it serves.
The State Capitol Police continues to offer current training needs for all state officials and employees in Bomb Threat Management, Bomb Recognition, Crime Prevention, Personal Safety and Workplace Security. The crime prevention training currently reflects changes and trends in behavior and crime on the Capitol Complex.
Pennsylvania State Capitol Police Mission Statement
The Pennsylvania Capitol Police is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all that work and visit the Capitol Complex. We will accomplish our mission by safeguarding individuals' constitutional rights and by working cooperatively with citizens to preserve peace, protect life, and property. Our officers will uphold their oath with great honor and provide service with integrity, compassion, and professionalism.
Pennsylvania State Capitol Police Accreditation
The Capitol Police was initially Accredited on July 9, 2005 through the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC) and Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. On June 26, 2013 the Pennsylvania Capitol Police received their second reaccrediation at the Annual Pennsylvania Chief of Police Convention in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
The Capitol Police received International Accreditation on July 28, 2007, through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). On August 3, 2013 the Capitol Police was awarded their second reaccreditation at the summer CALEA Convention in Columbus, Ohio. CALEA recognized the Pennsylvania Capitol Police for their professional excellence and demonstrating a commitment to being a highly trained police department.
This site is updated and maintained by the Pennsylvania Capitol Police Administration.
See also
References
- ↑ Minnema, Lindsay (August 7, 2006). "Dog's job is to sniff out explosives". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 27, 2007.
- ↑ Thompson, Troy (September 23, 2013). "Pennsylvania State Capitol Police receive reaccreditation". Department of General Services. Retrieved September 26, 2013.