Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

LurkersWillLurk t1_jdngknp wrote

Under state law they do not have general purpose law enforcement powers. They enforce warrants, security at the courts, and ancillary duties on Election Day. The Municipal Police Jurisdiction Act gives plenary law enforcement power to municipal police departments plus special-district agencies like universities or transit districts.

14

gruntville OP t1_jdocnn4 wrote

Did PA Sheriffs ever have what someone would consider “traditional” law enforcement authority? Did they ever run the jails? I keep hearing they’re pushing to be full service agencies like most other states, which in theory makes functional sense, but confused why they aren’t and don’t seem to be making any headway with it.

1

Optimal_Bad_8965 t1_jdof01p wrote

In my county the Sheriff department runs the jail.

4

gruntville OP t1_jdorqhv wrote

Do you mind if I ask what county you are? I grew up in montco and live in Cumberland and none around me at any point did.

1

Socketfusion t1_jdp3pgg wrote

They do have general purpose law enforcement powers. They are duly employed muncipal officers. If a sherrif deputy has cause for any possible felony, misdemeanor, breach of peace, or has been requested to assist by any other law enforcement agency, they can absolutely act in the same capacity as any other police officer. They aren't typically out patrolling or responding to 911 calls because it isn't their assigned duties. Pass a sheriff deputy at high speed over a double yellow and see what the judge thinks when you tell him the officer was forbidden by state law to stop and cite you. It isn't that they can't, it's just that they usually don't. I'm guessing OP's question came because of the recent video of a Berks County sherrif arresting a guy who tried to rob a cabbie. He absolutely had the power to arrest him as a LEO.

1

LurkersWillLurk t1_jdp7rw2 wrote

Yes, sheriff’s deputies have the power to address crimes that occur in their presence. That doesn’t change the fact that they are not the primary source of law enforcement services in municipalities. They can’t investigate crimes or respond to calls for service without meeting certain requisite conditions, such as a mutual aid agreement. The Superior Court has a body of case law explaining this.

5

worstatit t1_jdqqqkt wrote

Most sheriff deputies are not act 120 certified, thus not police officers in any form.

2

Socketfusion t1_jdr2pqw wrote

If they can carry a gun as an officer or enforce criminal and vehicle codes they are act 120 certified. Almost 40% of PA state police employees aren't certified. Because you need people to do all the other stuff. People are confusing sherrif employees with actual deputies. The person who processes your carry permit probably isn't a police officer. But the person who does has a gun and does prisoner transport absolutely is.

1

worstatit t1_jdr4fav wrote

If they receive 120 training and pass the requirements, then they are certified. It is not required to be 120 certified to be a deputy sheriff. Deputy certification is different than police certification.

3

gruntville OP t1_jdwyjqg wrote

My original question was based on a lifetime of observation as a PA resident and current federal LEO. I keep hearing they are trying to push for Sheriffs to have more LE authority, but have heard it for years. I actually think it’s a great idea, if for nothing more then strictly more rural counties. What always struck me as weird though is that they don’t even run the jails, and I’ve heard in random counties they do functional as patrol officers and answer 911 calls(which I can’t confirm first hand; counties like Tioga for example).

Additionally hearing information like what another poster here stated(that his sheriffs dept in pa runs the jail)which would suggest legally they can(patrol, 911 responce and run county jail) yet we keep hearing debates over legal authority, roles, historical and current, their certification vs Act 120(municipal police certification), etc. All of which feeds back into why is this not much more common, as in most other states, or at the very least more widespread?

1