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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2020

Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Education and Training Board Announces Curriculum Review

Harrisburg, PA. — In reaction to Governor Tom Wolf's recent call to address law enforcement reform and accountability, the Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Education and Training Board (SDSETB) at the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) recently announced at their quarterly meeting the intention to review the Board's use of force training standards and other related curriculum.

Since 1984, the SDSETB has been responsible for providing the certification and re-certification training for all deputy sheriffs within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  In 2014, training responsibilities were extended to sheriffs as well. Sheriff and deputy sheriff duties vary across counties, but they may include serving complaints, summons, subpoenas, Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders and other legal documents in civil matters; providing courtroom security and transporting prisoners; conducting background checks and issuing firearms permits and licenses; and executing arrest warrants and other duties in criminal matters.

The governor has asked that all training academies throughout Pennsylvania review their curriculum with an eye to improving community relations," SDSETB Chair Eric Weaknecht, Berks County Sheriff, said. "With guidance from the Governor's Office, the Legislature, the Courts, and PCCD, we will review our existing curriculum as well as current and future curriculum being taught by all other law enforcement in the Commonwealth in order to continue to provide the best possible training to sheriffs and deputy sheriffs to serve all communities of the Commonwealth in a professional, safe and fair manner." 

The Board recognizes the need to continue partnerships with all communities within the Commonwealth so it can provide the best training to allow its deputies to interact in a fair manner, consistent with constitutional norms, and deliver public safety services free from bias or discrimination.

PCCD's mission is to enhance the quality, coordination and planning within the criminal and juvenile justice systems, to facilitate the delivery of services to victims of crime, and to increase the safety of our communities.

CONTACT: Kirsten Kenyon, 717-265-8505

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