FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2022
State Police Issues Response to
Recommendations from Pennsylvania State Law Enforcement Citizen Advisory
Commission
Harrisburg,
PA – The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced
today responses to the recent recommendations made by the Pennsylvania State
Law Enforcement Citizen Advisory Commission. In December, the Commission
approved recommendations relating to police-involved shootings, other use of
force, and bias-based policing.
“I would like to thank the members of the Commission for their dedication and commitment to this process,” said
Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Robert Evanchick. “PSP looks forward to
working with the Commission to further improve our Department’s service to the
citizens of the commonwealth.”
The Commission includes three committees
to review completed internal investigative findings to determine if they were
fair, impartial, complete, and performed in a manner consistent with applicable
policies.
Below is a summary of the recommendations from each committee
and response from PSP:
Use of Force Review Committee
Committee Recommendations: That the
Pennsylvania State Police: (1) strengthen its use of force policy to include,
among other things, enhanced definitions to clarify use of an objective
reasonableness standard, bolstering de-escalation and supplemental training
following use of force incidents, mandatory reporting of certain use of force
incidents, and specific guidelines detailing a use of force spectrum; (2)
continue its efforts to procure Mobile Video Recorder (MVR) systems that
include various options for Interview Room Recorders and Body Worn Cameras; (3)
consider enhancements to its policies relating to transportation of juvenile
status offenders and others for civil enforcement purposes; and (4) consider
the purchase of additional permanently installed security shields or “cage
cars.”
PSP
Response: (1) PSP will refine the definition and
language of the term “reasonable belief” and take the recommendation under
advisement for further improvement. (2) PSP is actively engaged in procuring
Body-Worn Cameras, as this has been a priority for the current command staff
for several years. (3) PSP recognizes that regulation related to the
transportation and handcuffing of juveniles can be improved for clarity and
will update regulations accordingly. (4) PSP agrees that protective barriers in
PSP vehicles provide an added layer of officer safety, however upgrades to the
current PSP fleet of vehicles is subject to budgetary constraints.
Bias-Based Policing Review Committee
Committee Recommendations: That the
Pennsylvania State Police: (1) revise notification letters such that citizens
can refile bias-based complaints for full investigation following completion of
underlying criminal proceedings; and (2) will
update certain policies (including personal use of social or other media)
regarding, among other things, inclusion of all protected classes concerning
prohibited discriminatory or offensive conduct, and mandate certain actions
such as a duty to report acts of bias-based policing, in-service annual
bias-based policing training and limit memberships and/or affiliations to
certain organizations that negatively impact PSP.
PSP Response: (1) PSP will update
notification letters and include instructions on how the citizen may reinitiate
contact with the Internal Affairs Division, upon the conclusion of court
proceedings, so that their complaint can be fully investigated. (2) PSP will
update Bias Based Profiling Review Regulation to better define prohibitions of
conduct against protected classes. PSP will also work to improve internal
regulations related to organizational membership and affiliations, including
social media.
Critical Incident Review Committee
Recommendation: That the Pennsylvania State Police
require all criminal investigations of all its use of force incidents resulting
in death or serious bodily injury, or in-custody deaths, be referred to an
external agency.
PSP
Response: Without legislative action, the PSP cannot
implement this recommendation at this time. PSP is committed to improvement and
will continue to evaluate its investigative processes to ensure best practices
are consistent with laws and accreditation standards, pending a legislative
change to allow external investigation.
“These reports were only possible through the active
participation of PSP,” said Deputy State Inspector General and Commission
Chairperson, Sha S. Brown. “The Commission greatly appreciates PSP’s response
to the Commission’s reports and its plans to implement the report’s
recommendations for improvement where possible.”
Governor Wolf created the Commission in 2020 by Executive Order.
The Commission is comprised of 21 voting members and six ex-officio members.
Voting members include one representative from each of the Pennsylvania State
Police’s current 15 Troop geographic areas and six citizen members chosen
at-large.
The Commission recommendations and PSP responses are available
in their entirety on the Office of State Inspector General’s website.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Corporal Brent
Miller or Lieutenant Adam Reed, 717-783-5556, ra-pspcomm@pa.gov
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