A Lancaster County-wide plan is in place to ensure police services will continue if a department has a staffing shortage that impacts public protection.
In response to COVID-19, District Attorney Heather Adams established this week the Lancaster County Regional COVID-19 Law Enforcement Task Force – a team of officers with countywide police authority and jurisdiction.
Municipal departments that sign an agreement in effect contribute their officers to the Task Force.
The Task Force and associated plan was established in consultation with municipal department police chiefs.
The Task Force would activate in the event of a debilitating staffing shortage at a municipal police department.
“This is a measure to ensure all communities in Lancaster County will have police coverage as we all work together through this unprecedented set of circumstances,” District Attorney Adams said Thursday.
The Task Force plan is prepared, and a memorandum of agreement is in the process of being signed by municipal police chiefs in the county.
Officers on the Task Force would have power and authority to enforce state laws, and perform attached police functions and duties, anywhere in Lancaster County.
As of the date of this release (March 20), the Task Force is not active.
Should the Task Force be activated, the police chief with territorial jurisdiction would have command of the responding officers.
The Task Force agreement was crafted pursuant to the state Municipal Police Jurisdiction Act (MPJA), which addresses jurisdictional borders and police authority.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright