PENNSYLVANIA — In an effort to address the shortage of police officers in Pennsylvania, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 863 on Tuesday. Authored by state Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, the bill proposes adjustments to the physical fitness standards required for enrollment in a municipal police academy.
Pennsylvania has around 1,300 open positions across the state, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office. The Police Executive Research Forum’s 2021 national survey revealed a 45% increase in retirements and an 18% increase in resignations over the previous year.
“Vacancies in our local police departments put our communities at risk,” Williams said. “This legislation would bring more recruits into our police academies, while ultimately not lowering the physical fitness standards for employment as a municipal police officer in Pennsylvania.”
The significant change proposed by House Bill 863 is the lowering of initial fitness requirements for prospective police officers. However, it is important to note that the final standards to be employed as a police officer in Pennsylvania remain unchanged.
The bill’s passage in the House was marked by a vote of 115-88 and it now moves forward to the Senate for consideration.
Williams represents the 74th Legislative District, which includes Atglen, Coatesville, Honey Brook Borough, Honey Brook Township, Modena, Parkesburg, Sadsbury, South Coatesville, Valley, West Caln, West Sadsbury and Districts 1, 2 and 3 of Caln in Chester County. The impact of this legislation could be particularly felt in these areas, where the need for more police officers is pressing.
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