Police

Rural Pa. township disbanded police department after chief got a new job

Marley Parish | Spotlight PA State College

Supervisors in Sweden Township voted to hand full-time coverage over to Pennsylvania State Police, a decision they say will free up tens of thousands of dollars in the township’s budget.

Earlier this year, Pennsylvania State Police denied a records request from a coalition of newsrooms for a database of certified police officers.

Gov. Shapiro refuses to intervene on Pa. police officer data disclosure

Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

A coalition of newsrooms requested Pennsylvania’s database of police officers, but officials denied the info, citing safety concerns for undercover officers.

Pennsylvania State Police troopers have justified vehicle searches by saying a driver was nervous, sweating, or eating.

Crime and Law Enforcement

How Pa. Troopers Use Sweating, Stuttering During Traffic Stops To Launch Vehicle Searches

Spotlight PA is an independent, non-partisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News,…

The State College Police Department reported a total of four COVID-19 ordinance violations over State Patty's Day weekend. Violators of the ordinance can receive a fine up to $300.

Crime and Law Enforcement

State College Crime Rates Continue To Fall During State Patty's Day 2021

State College’s annual partying holiday, State Patty’s Day, took place this past weekend. Crime rates surrounding the event have dipped in recent years.…

Crime and Law Enforcement

Take Note: Cariol Horne And Damon Jones On The Need To Reform Against Police Brutality

Cheraine Stanford

This interview originally aired Dec. 6, 2019. Veteran law enforcement officers Damon K. Jones and Cariol Horne are speaking out against police brutality…

A video surfaced of Police Chief Hiel Bartlett and another officer, Patrolman Matthew Gustin, making an arrest in which some Bradford, Pa. residents say they used excessive force.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Police Brutality Allegations Rock Rural Pa. Town After Chief Is On Video Macing Handcuffed Suspect

Min Xian

Bradford, Pennsylvania is a town of 8,000 near the New York border in rural McKean County.It’s a place where people typically hold police officers in high…

Politics and Government

Penn State Labor Expert On The History Of Police Unions, How Reform Could Happen

Anne Danahy

Paul Clark is a professor and director of the School of Labor and Employment Relations at Penn State. He spoke with WPSU’s Anne Danahy about the push to…

In this file photo from July 2018, Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna spoke at a town hall in Philipsburg on opioids.

Crime and Law Enforcement

District Attorney, Police Departments Release Statements On Racial Inequities

Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna, the Centre County sheriff, and police chiefs from State College and Bellefonte, Spring, Patton, and…

In this file photo, a Philadelphia Police officer demonstrates a body-worn camera. Bellefonte Borough Council approved the purchase of 11 body cameras for its police department on Monday.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Bellefonte Police Department, Last In Centre County Municipalities, Will Soon Have Body Cameras

Min Xian

The Bellefonte Police Department will have body cameras as soon as the end of this month. They were approved by Bellefonte Borough Council at a Monday…

Crime and Law Enforcement

Centre County DA Won’t File Charges In Erie Teen’s Accidental Death

Min Xian

There will be no charges filed related in the case of the 17-year-old from Erie, who died in State College in October, Centre County District Attorney…