11 Pa.C.S. Ch. 120

in effect

11 Pa.C.S. § 12001 Appointment, number, rank, compensation and qualifications of police officers.

(a) General rule.--Council shall fix, by ordinance, the number, grades and compensation of the members of the city police force, who shall, except as provided in section 12002 (relating to designation of chief), be appointed in accordance with the civil service provisions of this chapter. (b) Demotion.--No member of the city police force having been promoted in conformity with the civil service provisions of this chapter shall be demoted in rank or discharged from the police force except upon proper cause shown as set forth under the civil service provisions of this chapter. (c) Prohibition.--No police officer, after the police officer's appointment and qualification, shall hold, at the same time, the office of constable. (d) Rules and regulations.--Council shall promulgate rules and regulations for the organization and governing of the police force.

11 Pa.C.S. § 12002 Designation of chief.

The chief of police shall be designated by the mayor from within the ranks and may be demoted without cause in the same manner, but not to any rank lower than the rank which was held at the time of designation as chief of police. In the event that no qualified officer from within the ranks has applied for the designation, the chief of police shall be designated by the mayor from outside the ranks. The officers, other than the chief of police, shall be designated in accordance with Chapter 144 (relating to civil service). Cross References. Section 12002 is referred to in sections 12001, 14406.1 of this title.

11 Pa.C.S. § 12003 Extra police officers and compensation.

The mayor may appoint extra police officers, whenever it is necessary in the judgment of the mayor for the public safety or to preserve order, to serve for a period designated by council, not to exceed 30 days and whose compensation shall be fixed by council.

11 Pa.C.S. § 12005 Powers of police officers to arrest.

Police officers shall be ex-officio constables of the city and shall enforce the laws of this Commonwealth or otherwise perform the functions of their office in accordance with 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 8952 (relating to primary municipal police jurisdiction) and 8953 (relating to Statewide municipal police jurisdiction) and upon property owned or controlled by the city or by a municipal authority created by the city. A police officer may, without warrant and upon view, arrest and commit for hearing any and all individuals: (1) Guilty of: (i) breach of the peace; (ii) vagrancy; (iii) riotous or disorderly conduct; or (iv) drunkenness. (2) Engaged in the commission of any unlawful act tending to imperil the personal security or endanger the property of the citizens. (3) Violating any of the ordinances of the city for the violation of which a fine or penalty is imposed.

11 Pa.C.S. § 12006 Service of process, fees and payment into treasury.

Police officers shall have authority to serve and to execute criminal process or processes issued for the violation of city ordinances and shall charge the same fees and costs as pertain by law to the constables of the city for similar services, but the fees and costs shall be paid into the city treasury monthly.

11 Pa.C.S. § 12007 Supervision by mayor.

The chief of police shall obey the orders of the mayor and make report to the mayor, which shall be presented monthly by the mayor to council.

11 Pa.C.S. § 12008 Extra compensation prohibited, exception and penalty.

No police officer shall ask, demand or receive any compensation or reward for the police officer's services other than compensation provided by ordinance, except rewards offered for the arrest of persons accused of crimes committed outside of the city in which the police officer is employed. A police officer violating any of the provisions of this section commits a misdemeanor of the third degree and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine or imprisonment, or both, to be followed by dismissal from office.

11 Pa.C.S. § 12009 Compensation or insurance for volunteer police officer.

Each city may make necessary appropriations to provide compensation or insurance for volunteer police officers injured or killed while engaged in the performance of duties as may be assigned to them in the city.

11 Pa.C.S. § 12010 School crossing guards.

(a) Request.--Upon request of the board of school directors of the school district in which a city is located, council may appoint school crossing guards who shall control and direct traffic at or near schools. They shall serve at the pleasure of council, except as provided for in subsection (b). The compensation of the school crossing guards, if any, shall be fixed by council and shall be jointly paid by council and the board of school directors, in a ratio to be determined by council and the board of school directors. If council and the board of school directors are unable to determine the ratio of compensation of the school crossing guards to be paid by council and the board, each shall pay one-half of the compensation of the school crossing guards. (b) Ordinance.-- (1) Council may enact an ordinance allowing a board of school directors to assume the hiring and oversight of the school crossing guards. Before council may enact the ordinance, the board of directors of the school district shall adopt a resolution requesting the authority to assume the hiring and oversight of the school crossing guards. The ordinance enacted by council shall outline how the city police department will provide any necessary training and assistance to the school crossing guards while on duty. (2) School crossing guards shall not fall under the bargaining unit of the school district or be classified as an employee or under any benefits as provided under the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term employee shall have the same meaning given to the term "employe" under section 1101-A of the Public School Code of 1949. (3) After the ordinance is enacted by council, the school district shall assume the cost of compensation, including fixing the compensation, if any, of the school crossing guards. The board of school directors shall notify council, the mayor and the police chief or commissioner of those hired to serve as school crossing guards and request the necessary training or assistance be provided as outlined by the ordinance. (c) Duties.--Whether council appoints school crossing guards upon the request of the board of school directors or whether council enacts an ordinance allowing a board of school directors to assume the hiring and oversight of the school crossing guards, the following shall apply to school crossing guards: (1) Their duties and authority shall be restricted to the management of traffic and pedestrians in and around areas identified by the city police force and the school district superintendent or a designee. (2) They shall be in suitable and distinctive uniforms while performing their duties as school crossing guards. (3) They shall not be subject to the civil service provisions of this chapter. (4) They shall not be entitled to participate in any city or school district pension or benefit plan or plans. (5) Auxiliary police officers lawfully appointed may be designated by council or hired by the school district, as applicable, to serve as school crossing guards.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=11Fetched: 10/16/2026