Looking at the MPOETC 2009 Mandatory In-Service Training Topics I had a thought. It appears the required training material covers new laws and new case laws. Since OC is not legal because of a law, but because of the lack of a law prohibiting it, that may be a reason why it's not covered. They focus on law that police officers can cite or arrest for, not situations that are not illegal.
I know, I know, you're asking if they are NOT taught it's not illegal then how would one think it is illegal. I can't answer that, maybe urban legend, false assumptions, I really don't know and not the topic of this post.
The challenge is to get law enforcement educated and IMHO with as little pain to all parties involved.
I plan on writing an email to the Executive Director of MPOETC (Major John M. Gallaher,
jgallaher@state.pa.us 717-346-7749) and see if he can arrange to have the OC topic included in the 2009 Mandatory In-Service Training Topics. I'll post a draft here before I send it.
Oh and I am not doing this in any official capacity, just a normal concerned citizen of this great Commonwealth.
Here's what they list for 2009 Mandatory In-Service Training Program
Based on a recommendation from the In-Service Training Committee, the Commission has
approved the following courses for the 2009 Mandatory In-Service Training Program Curriculum:
09-201 – Legal Update: Best Practices and Current Issues for Law Enforcement
3-hour Required Course
This three-hour Mandatory In-Service Training (MIST) course covers legal issues affecting
municipal police officers throughout the Commonwealth. The course, a required class in the MIST
curriculum over the past eighteen years, will cover topics such as, new criminal and traffic laws,
Rules of Criminal Procedure updates, and changes in other statutes related to law enforcement.
The 2009 course will update municipal police officers on “best practices” which may be used in
subject areas such as, Eyewitness Identification, Custodial Interrogations, Informant Testimony,
Forensic Science, Strip Searches and it will provide an overview of Pennsylvania’s Statewide
Automated Victims Information and Notification Service (PA SAVIN).
The course will also address landmark United States Supreme Court opinions and current
Pennsylvania court decisions regarding Search and Seizure as well as other pertinent criminal and
traffic case law.
And here is the list of 2009 Quarterly MPOETC Commission meetings which I
think are open to the public.
MARCH 10, 11, and 12
Holiday Inn-Harrisburg/Hershey
604 Station Road
Grantville, Pennsylvania 17028
(717) 469-0661
JUNE 16, 17, and 18
Toftrees Conference Center
One Country Club Lane
State College, Pennsylvania 16803
(814) 234-8000
SEPTEMBER 15, 16, and 17
Doubletree Hotel-Pittsburgh City Center
One Bigelow Square
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219
(412) 281-5800
DECEMBER 8, 9, and 10
Eisenhower Hotel & Conference Center
2634 Emmitsburg Road
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325
(717) 334-8121