Pa. recommends state officers who kill, injure someone face probe by independent group

December 11, 2021 carleyshaffer1 US 0

Pennsylvania State troopers pull over vehicles on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Breezewood, Pa. Police around the country are reporting that as roads and highways emptied during the pandemic, some remaining drivers took advantage by pushing well past the speed limit. It's a trend that statistics show is continuing even as states reopen. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Pennsylvania State troopers pull over vehicles on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Breezewood, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

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UPDATED 3:34 PM PT – Saturday, December 11, 2021

A Pennsylvania watchdog group is pushing for new measures against state officers who use force in the line of duty.

On Friday, a state oversight panel recommended Pennsylvania police troopers who kill or injure someone be investigated by an independent prosecutor. According to the panel, the recommendation is meant to increase Pennsylvania residents’ trust in police.

The decision was based on a 2016 shooting involving state officers. The shooting was investigated by a local district attorney who spoke to the officers involved before the incident, raising concerns of a potential conflict of interest.

The State Law Enforcement Citizen Advisory Commission was created under Gov. Tom Wolf (D) in 2020, but lacks the power to fully require the recommendation. It is unclear whether state law enforcement agencies will cooperate.

I signed an executive order to create a Citizen Advisory Commission to improve state law enforcement.

My administration is committed to bipartisan criminal justice reforms that are fair, inclusive, and support public safety. pic.twitter.com/tL7uxCUWu0

— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) July 27, 2020