Gebhard Bill Benefitting Police Officers Passes Senate

HARRISBURG - The Senate unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48) to allow Fort Indiantown Gap police officers to be Act 120 certified under the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC).

Currently, police officers at Fort Indiantown Gap complete all the same certification requirements but are never assigned numbers by MPOETC. This can prevent them from being able to transfer to another police department without retaking the exam.

"At a time when police officers are desperately needed, my bill would eliminate an unnecessary burden for them. The change would help recruiting efforts at Fort Indiantown Gap," Gebhard said. "With the passage of my bill, the Fort Indiantown Gap police department would finally be treated like every other municipal police department, school police department and the Capitol Police."

Senate Bill 1228 is similar to a bill that allowed automatic certification for school police officers. It now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

CONTACT: Alex Gamble