Special Committee to Investigate the Pennsylvania State Police (HR 207)
Scope and Contents
Throughout the spring of 1986, the committee concentrated on interviewing former and present members of all ranks of the Pennsylvania State Police force.� Citizens of the Commonwealth were also heard from during public hearings and private interviews.� In addition to the information obtained during the seven public hearings that were held, the committee subpoenaed thousands of pages of documents from the State Police.
On November 25, 1986, the Committee presented its Final Report to the House of Representatives, which included its finds and recommendations on improving the professionalism of the State Police Force.� The committee found numerous cases in which the troopers had been caught violating the law and had not been properly disciplined by the Police Department.� Individual cases are discussed within the Final Report, and topics include troopers driving under the influence, committing assault against citizens or fellow officers, engaging in bribery and multiple other illegal acts.� The Members felt that this was unacceptable, as the State Police should set an example for other police agencies, as well as the citizenry of Pennsylvania.� The committee recommended that in cases of criminal conduct by troopers, every case should be investigated and prosecuted regardless of the victims' wishes, and any cases which a local district attorney declined to prosecute should be pursued by a federal or state attorney. They also recommended that the Department make use of the newly instituted Bureau of Professional Responsibility, set up by Police Commissioner Jay Cochran, which provided for a specialized unit to investigate crimes committed by state troopers.
Other recommendations included the establishment of strict guidelines for discipline, the integration of additional minorities into the police force, and the suggestion that troopers not be allowed to retire or resign from the department in exchange for avoiding criminal charges or disciplinary action.
Dates
- 1985-1986
- Other: Majority of material found in 1986
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
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� Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives, Office of the Chief Clerk.
Extent
2.00 Cubic Feet
1.00 Cubic Feet
1.00 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement Note
This collection is arranged alphabetically by subject, and chronologically by date within the Meetings, Tours and Public Hearings section.� A large bulk of the records consists of individual cases of criminal conduct by troopers that were brought to the attention of Representative Deal. There is very little information contained on public hearings and committee meeting.
Custodial History
Special Committee to Investigate the Pennsylvania State Police to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives.
Method of Acquisition
Pursuant to House� Rule 45 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (titled “Powers and Duties of Standing Committees and Subcommittees”) governing� the management and disposition of historically valuable committee material,� the secretary of the committee must record the attendance of Members and any votes taken, the minutes of the meeting and records, bills, and other papers in the possession of committees and subcommittees which must be submitted to the Chief Clerk at the end of every two year legislative session for permanent archival storage.
Existence and Location of Originals
multi-part note content
Creator
- Title
- Archon Finding Aid Title
- Author
- Teitelbaum
- Description rules
- Other Unmapped
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- und
Repository Details
Part of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives Repository
