Slupe seeks clarity in authority
Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe was in Harrisburg Monday testifying before Pennsylvania legislators, pushing for the passage of a bill clarifying the authority of sheriff's offices across the state.
Slupe, in his role as president of the Pennsylvania Sheriffs' Association, spoke to the House State Government Committee, chaired by state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12, about House Bill 466, which Slupe said would enable his office to conduct investigations.
Slupe said the reason he testified was “to provide clarification on the arrest and investigatory authority of the sheriff's office due to the numerous conflicting or confusing state court decisions over the years.”
Currently, Slupe's office has the authority to make arrests, even outside county property.
“When it crosses the threshold into an investigation, then we have to stop,” he said.
Slupe cited the example of a drug arrest.
In the county government center lobby or while making an arrest, a deputy may search the individual under the administrative order of the court. Anywhere else, a deputy must rely on what is visible in the absence of a search warrant.
If a deputy comes across a vehicle accident, he must contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Slupe said the bill would enable deputies to conduct an investigation into the cause of the accident.
“If police are too busy and we are available, then we can do it,” Slupe said.
Along with Slupe, the sheriffs from Allegheny, Berks and Chester counties as well as the chief inspector from the Philadelphia County sheriff's office testified before the committee.
Rob Greene, Warren County district attorney, and Doug Hill, executive director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, also spoke in favor of the bill.
State Rep. Jim Marshall, R-14, is the prime sponsor of House Bill 466, which would amend Title 42 “in officers serving process and enforcing orders, further providing for powers and duties of the sheriff.”
According to Slupe, Metcalfe said his committee would further discuss the bill. If the House of Representatives would pass the bill, it would go before the state Senate.
Slupe said State Sen. Don White, R-41, may sponsor that version of the bill.
