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Pennsylvania Statutes Title 73 Pa.C.S.A. Townships § 4101. Appointment, compensation and training of police officers

Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) Number, rank and compensation.--Subject to the civil service provisions of this part, the board of commissioners may appoint and fix the number, rank and compensation of the members of the township police force.

(b) Police services.--Subject to the requirements of 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 23 Subch. A (relating to intergovernmental cooperation), the board of commissioners may provide for police services:

(1) by municipal police officers under a contract;

(2) through the purchase of police services;  or

(3) by joining or developing a consolidated regional police service.

(c) Removal, suspension or demotion.--The board of commissioners may remove, suspend or demote a police officer:

(1) in accordance with the act of June 15, 1951 (P.L. 586, No. 144),  1 entitled “An act regulating the suspension, removal, furloughing and reinstatement of police officers in boroughs and townships of the first class having police forces of less than three members, and in townships of the second class”;  or

(2) subject to Subchapter D of Chapter 19 (relating to civil service for police and firefighters).

(d) Limitations.--

(1) A police officer may not at the same time hold a public office other than constable, health officer or school director of a school district situated within a county of the second class.

(2) A police officer who holds the office of school director in accordance with paragraph (1), whether contracted or otherwise employed by the school district, may not serve as a school police officer, as provided for in section 1302-C of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L. 30, No. 14),  2 known as the Public School Code of 1949.

(e) Campaigns.--A police officer may not participate in a political or election campaign while on duty or in uniform or while using township property other than to exercise the officer's right of suffrage.

(f) Rules and regulations.--Except as provided in section 1936 (relating to rules and regulations), the board of commissioners shall promulgate rules and regulations for the organization of the police force.

(g) Training classes.--The board of commissioners may assign the chief of police or another member of the police force to attend training classes, which are offered by the Federal Government, State or county government, and may pay a member's expenses while attending the training classes.

1  53 P.S. § 811 et seq.
2  24 P.S. § 13-1302-C.
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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Pennsylvania Statutes Title 73 Pa.C.S.A. Townships § 4101. Appointment, compensation and training of police officers - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-73-pacsa-townships/pa-csa-sect-73-4101/

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