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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. John Pallone |
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House unanimously passes Pallone's County Park Police Certification bill
HARRISBURG, July 6 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation sponsored by state Rep. John Pallone that would enable county park officers to receive certification for training they receive through the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training program.
"This bill is about public safety, and I want to thank the House for its bipartisan support," said Pallone, D-Westmoreland/Armstrong. "The MPOET program certifies and trains police officers on how to recognize and deal with suspected gang activity and how to identify explosives. It also brings them up to date on the latest trends in homeland security and law enforcement techniques, and provides education and training on recent law changes."
House Bill 580, which has been sent to the state Senate for consideration, would add county park police to the list of officers under the Municipal Police Officers Training and Education Commission standards, which would allow them to be certified for attending the MPOET program and enable them to receive MPOET numbers and receive updated training and recertification.
Pallone has been working on this issue since the mid-1990s, when he was a Westmoreland County Commissioners' coordinator. He said he is hoping the bill will continue to receive bipartisan support in the state Senate.
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