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    Law Enforcement Acts

    The acts below are important laws about law enforcement training, hiring practices, and administration.

    Act 37

    Act 37 of 2023 was signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro on December 14, 2023. The Act amends Title 53, Chapter 21 by enacting physical fitness standards to enroll and graduate from a Commission-certified police academy in the city of the first class (Philadelphia). Applicants enrolling in an academy in the city of the first class must meet the 15th percentile of the Cooper standard and they are required to meet the 30th percentile of the Cooper standard to be eligible for certification by the Commission. This requirement will expire 5 years from the effective date.

    The Act also requires the Commission to immediately approve two reading comprehension tests that will be utilized for enrollment into a Commission-certified police academy, and to evaluate additional reading tests that are submitted for review.  The Commission-approved reading comprehension tests include the Nelson-Denny Reading Test and the National Police Officer Selection Test (NPOST). All approved tests will be posted in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 

    Act 57

    Act 57 was signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf on July 14, 2020, and went into effect July 14, 2021. The Act, which amends Title 44, adding Chapter 73, provides for background check requirements by law enforcement agencies hiring law enforcement officers. It also requires law enforcement agencies to report separation information to MPOETC when a law enforcement officer separates from employment.

    Act 59

    Act 59 was signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf on July 14, 2020. The Act amended Title 44, adding Chapter 72 and Title 53, Chapter 21. It requires mental health evaluations for post-traumatic stress disorder for law enforcement officers following the use of deadly force and requires additional training of police officers with respect to the use of force, community and cultural awareness, implicit bias, procedural justice, child abuse, trauma-informed care, and interacting and intervening with individuals and police officers with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

    Act 60

    Act 60 was signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf on July 11, 2022. The Act amends Title 53, Chapter 21, to include canine training standards for police officers.

    Retired Law Enforcement Officers Identification Act (RLEIA)

    On December 13, 2005, the Governor signed Act 79, the Retired Law Enforcement Identification Act (RLEIA). RLEIA tasked the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) with establishing uniform identification and qualification cards for retired law enforcement officers in PA and a method of conducting annual firearms qualifications for such individuals.