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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 [[Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex|State Capitol Complex]] in [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]], and at state government office buildings in [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06219/711702-85.stm |title=Dog's job is to sniff out explosives |first=Lindsay |last=Minnema |work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |date=August 7, 2006 |accessdate=February 27, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pa-capitol-police-receive-national-advanced-law-enforcement-reaccreditation-224874742.html |title=Pennsylvania State Capitol Police receive reaccreditation |first=Troy|last=Thompson |work=[[Pennsylvania Department of General Services|Department of General Services]] |date=September 23, 2013 |accessdate=September 26, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pa-capitol-police-department-receives-state-international-reaccreditation-300311216.html |title=Pennsylvania Capitol Police Department Receives State, International Reaccreditation |first=Troy|last=Thompson |work=[[Pennsylvania Department of General Services|Department of General Services]] |date=August 9, 2016 |accessdate=August 9, 2016}}</ref> 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''' is a section of the [[Pennsylvania Department of General Services]] providing law enforcement, security and parking enforcement services to the [[Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex|State Capitol Complex]] in [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]], and at state government office buildings in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pittsburgh]], and [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06219/711702-85.stm |title=Dog's job is to sniff out explosives |first=Lindsay |last=Minnema |work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |date=August 7, 2006 |accessdate=February 27, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pa-capitol-police-receive-national-advanced-law-enforcement-reaccreditation-224874742.html |title=Pennsylvania State Capitol Police receive reaccreditation |first=Troy|last=Thompson |work=[[Pennsylvania Department of General Services|Department of General Services]] |date=September 23, 2013 |accessdate=September 26, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pa-capitol-police-department-receives-state-international-reaccreditation-300311216.html |title=Pennsylvania Capitol Police Department Receives State, International Reaccreditation |first=Troy|last=Thompson |work=[[Pennsylvania Department of General Services|Department of General Services]] |date=August 9, 2016 |accessdate=August 9, 2016}}</ref> 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 H. Hastings|Daniel Hartman Hastings]], the state's 21st Governor. The enactment authorized the Capitol Police as the first Pennsylvania [[Law enforcement agency|police agency]] under Commonwealth jurisdiction and the second oldest state police organization in the United States, after the [[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Rangers]].<ref>https://www.dgs.pa.gov/police/Pages/default.aspx</ref>
The Pennsylvania State Capitol Police Force was established in 1895 under Governor [[Daniel H. Hastings|Daniel Hartman Hastings]], the state's 21st Governor. The enactment authorized the Capitol Police as the first Pennsylvania [[Law enforcement agency|police agency]] under Commonwealth jurisdiction and the second oldest state police organization in the United States, after the [[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Rangers]].<ref>https://www.dgs.pa.gov/police/Pages/default.aspx</ref>
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As of May 2019, the Department has six K-9 [[police dog]]s trained in both apprehension and search operations for narcotics and explosives. All delivery vehicles entering a building of the complex are searched by a K-9. Since the Department's jurisdiction includes the Capitol Complex, political protests can commonly occur. Should a riot ensue, they operate an anti-riot [[Armored car (valuables)|armored truck]] with a remote controlled water cannon. Due to the Department's relatively small size, they also rely on both the [[Pennsylvania State Police]] and [[Harrisburg Bureau of Police]] and work alongside each other during major events.
As of May 2019, the Department has six K-9 [[police dog]]s trained in both apprehension and search operations for narcotics and explosives. All delivery vehicles entering a building of the complex are searched by a K-9. Since the Department's jurisdiction includes the Capitol Complex, political protests can commonly occur. Should a riot ensue, they operate an anti-riot [[Armored car (valuables)|armored truck]] with a remote controlled water cannon. Due to the Department's relatively small size, they also rely on both the [[Pennsylvania State Police]] and [[Harrisburg Bureau of Police]] and work alongside each other during major events.

In 2013, the Capitol Police became the first law enforcement agency in the United States to begin using the the Israeli [[Tavor]] SAR [[assault rifle]], a variant specifically designed for the U.S. market. In 2017, they upgraded to the [[IWI Tavor X95]]. <ref>http://lauraburgess.com/pennsylvania-state-capitol-police-upgrade-iwi-us-tavor-x95/</ref>



PSCP Officers patrol cars do have [[dashcam|dash cameras]], however the Department does not issue [[Body worn video (police equipment)|body cameras]]. Officers have the option to pay out of pocket for personal body cameras.
PSCP Officers patrol cars do have [[dashcam|dash cameras]], however the Department does not issue [[Body worn video (police equipment)|body cameras]]. Officers have the option to pay out of pocket for personal body cameras.

Revision as of 04:35, 29 March 2020

Pennsylvania State Capitol Police
{{{patchcaption}}}
Agency overview
Formed1895
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionUnited States
Legal jurisdictionCapitol Complex and state office buildings in Dauphin County, PA, and Scranton, Pennsylvania
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
Headquarters70E Capitol East Wing, Harrisburg, PA 17125
Facilities
Stations1
Patrol cars20
Dogs6

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 office buildings in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Scranton, Pennsylvania.[1][2][3] 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 state'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, after the Texas Rangers.[4]

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 July 12, 2016 the Pennsylvania Capitol Police received their fourth reaccreditation at the annual Pennsylvania Chief of Police Conference in Erie, Pennsylvania.

The Capitol Police received International Accreditation on July 28, 2007, through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). On July 30, 2016 the Capitol Police was awarded their third reaccreditation at the summer CALEA Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. CALEA recognized the Pennsylvania Capitol Police for their professional excellence and demonstrating a commitment to being a highly trained police department.

Equipment

PA Capitol Police Vehicle
PA Capitol Police Bike Patrol
PA Capitol Police K9 Unit
PA Capitol Police Cruiser
PA Capitol Police Fleet

The PSCP has an all-Ford patrol fleet that consists of Police Interceptor Sedans and Police Interceptor Utilitys. The agencies vehicles are both marked and unmarked.

As of May 2019, the Department has six K-9 police dogs trained in both apprehension and search operations for narcotics and explosives. All delivery vehicles entering a building of the complex are searched by a K-9. Since the Department's jurisdiction includes the Capitol Complex, political protests can commonly occur. Should a riot ensue, they operate an anti-riot armored truck with a remote controlled water cannon. Due to the Department's relatively small size, they also rely on both the Pennsylvania State Police and Harrisburg Bureau of Police and work alongside each other during major events.

In 2013, the Capitol Police became the first law enforcement agency in the United States to begin using the the Israeli Tavor SAR assault rifle, a variant specifically designed for the U.S. market. In 2017, they upgraded to the IWI Tavor X95. [5]


PSCP Officers patrol cars do have dash cameras, however the Department does not issue body cameras. Officers have the option to pay out of pocket for personal body cameras.

Units

  • Patrol
  • K-9 (both apprehension and scent K-9s)
  • Bike Patrol
  • Special Security
  • Riot control
  • Special and Critical Response Team (SCRT)

See also

References

  1. ^ Minnema, Lindsay (August 7, 2006). "Dog's job is to sniff out explosives". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 27, 2007.
  2. ^ Thompson, Troy (September 23, 2013). "Pennsylvania State Capitol Police receive reaccreditation". Department of General Services. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
  3. ^ Thompson, Troy (August 9, 2016). "Pennsylvania Capitol Police Department Receives State, International Reaccreditation". Department of General Services. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  4. ^ https://www.dgs.pa.gov/police/Pages/default.aspx
  5. ^ http://lauraburgess.com/pennsylvania-state-capitol-police-upgrade-iwi-us-tavor-x95/
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