The state Senate on Tuesday approved a pair of police reform bills that include the creation of a database recording officers' disciplinary actions and increased training requirements.

“These items, to me, are common sense, and they're things that have been talked about in the past,” said Jackson Township police Chief Terry Seilhamer. “I think everybody recognizes this as a good thing.”

Gov. Tom Wolf intends to sign the bills, which were introduced in the House shortly after widespread protests swept the nation and state over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

State Police Troop D Capt. Chuck Gonglik said his barracks will operate in compliance with ever-evolving laws they are sworn to protect.

“Whatever comes down from Harrisburg, Troop D will follow,” Gonglik said.

House Bill 1841 and House Bill 1910 both passed by the same near-unanimous vote totals. On June 24, both bills passed a House vote of 201-0 with one absence, and then Tuesday state senators unanimously approved the bill.

Background information

House Bill 1841 would require officers applying for a position to release information about their former employment.

The bill also tasks the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission to set up and maintain a database in which law enforcement agencies would be required to record disciplinary actions taken against officers.

“It's another tool from the extensive background checks that we already conduct prior to hiring a potential candidate,” Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe said.

The database would not be available to the public, but law enforcement agencies could use the system for more extensive background checks. Agencies also would be required to submit reasons for hiring an officer with past offenses.

The list of offenses that could be recorded in the database includes: excessive force, harassment, theft, discrimination, sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, coercion of a false confession, filing a false report or a judicial finding of dishonesty.

Seilhamer said he particularly liked the database, which would help agencies make more-informed hiring decisions.

“I think it should absolutely be done,” he said. “I want to know if someone had problems with their previous employment.”

Expanding education

House Bill 1910 would require officers to expand their training through continued education in use of force, community and cultural awareness and implicit bias, among other pertinent subjects.

Slupe said his department is accredited through the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, which involves a high level of training, including regular focus on use of force and bias-based policies and procedures.

“Ninety-nine percent of all law enforcement officers do their job with the highest standards set for their agency, and training is an integral part to assist in performing their job at the level that we should all expect,” Slupe said.

Mental health screening

The bill also would force officers to undergo mental health screenings within 30 days of use-of-force incidents. An officer showing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder during the evaluation would be delayed from resuming full duties until a licensed physician clears them.

Seilhamer said screenings after use-of-force typically are mandatory in larger departments, but have never been required statewide. He said although they could be tough on smaller departments such as his own, the screenings would be beneficial to make sure officers are getting the right help.

He said in years past, law enforcement was seen as a “macho” profession and expressing feelings was a weakness. He said this attitude would discourage officers from seeking the help they needed, but law enforcement agencies have improved a great deal in mental health awareness.

“That kind of thinking has gone the way of the dinosaurs,” Seilhamer said.

Seilhamer said the changes, while common sense, were good improvements to upgrade policing in a state that is already in good shape. He said support from lawmakers has also been impressive, but he hopes the same lawmakers making these reforms keep them in mind when it comes to the budget.

“I think it's great that we're getting both sides of the aisle to make this thing great for everybody,” Seilhamer said. “I certainly hope they set the funding aside. Without the funding, you can't really set up a worthwhile program.”

Wolf's office said the governor will sign the House bills, which will go back to the House for final approval before reaching his desk. The House has a session scheduled from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Additionally, Senate Bill 1205, which would ban the use of certain chokeholds, also received unanimous approval from the Senate on June 24. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.