Senate approves bill expanding college campus police powers

(Harrisburg) — Campus police at the 14 state-owned universities would have the power to pull over anyone driving on a public road through campus under a new bill.

Republican state Senator Lloyd Smucker of Lancaster County is sponsoring the legislation that’s been unanimously approved by the Senate.

The measure comes after a 2014 state Superior Court ruling overturned a driver’s arrest because a campus police officer at one of the 14 schools conducted the traffic stop. 

Smucker says the issue affects police at Millersville University in his district.

“There are a number of public roads that run directly through the grounds that are owned by the university, so yes, these are regularly traveled and patrolled by the campus police,” says Smucker.

The State System of Higher Education and campus police officers both support Smucker’s proposal.

“I think it’s a really common sense correction to the law that is necessary to ensure safety on our campuses, the campuses of the state system,” adds Smucker.

The bill now goes to the House.

At the four state-related schools, Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln, police already have the authority to stop anyone driving on a public road running through their campuses.