Mark Barrett

Pennsylvania State Police

The Pennsylvania State Police was created as an executive department of the state government by the Act of May 2, 1905, and was the first organization of its kind in the United States. The Department is headed by a Commissioner of State Police, appointed by the Governor and by three Deputy Commissioners. By special acts of the Legislature, the State Police force and its members are authorized and empowered to make arrests without warrant for all violations of the law which they may witness, and to serve and execute warrants issued by the proper local authorities. These powers are extended throughout all the political subdivisions of the Commonwealth. Members of the force have all the powers and prerogatives conferred by law upon members of the police force of cities of the first class and upon constables of the Commonwealth, and to act as game protectors and as forest, fish, or fire wardens. The present authorized strength of the Pennsylvania State Police is 4,689, which includes 238 troopers assigned to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to patrol the toll road, and 141 troopers assigned to the Bureau of Gaming Enforcement.