The Dog Law has been re-enacted and amended several times over the decades. The definition of Police Officer has stayed mostly the same being modified only when State constabulary was added and removed and when constables and dog (warden) was added. Since the time of the Duke’s Law (1644), Constables powers to preserve the peace and bring offenders before the magistrates or to jail have existed. The Dog Law assigns duties to Constables in the enforcement of it but these duties preexist this act (see Act 362 of 1907).
Dog Law of 1917: Elected law enforcement includes Sheriffs and Constables.
The term “police officer” shall mean any person employed or elected by this Commonwealth, or by any municipality, county, or township, and whose duty it is to preserve peace or to make arrests or to enforce the law. The term includes game-, fish , and forest wardens.
Act 317 of 1917, Dog Law
Dog Law of 1921: Added to its definition of Police Officer “State Constabulary”. This may be a reference to the State Police as this name was used interchangeably with them. During these years there were many efforts to expand the State Police; adding State constabulary may have been in support of that effort (see Legislative Journal of 1919).
The term “police officer”. shall mean any person employed or elected by this Commonwealth, or by any municipality, county, or township, and whose duty it is to preserve peace or to make arrests or to enforce the law. The term includes State constabulary, game, fish, and forest wardens.
Act 242 of 1921, Dog Law
Dog Law of 1965: Kept in the definition of Police Officer “State Constabulary”.
(7) The term “police officer” shall mean any person employed or elected by this Commonwealth, or by any municipality, county or township, and whose duty it is to preserve peace or to make arrests or to enforce the law. The term includes State constabulary, game, fish and forest wardens.
Act 437 of 1965, Dog Law
Act 1982-225 of 1982: Added “dog” to its definition of Police Officer.
“Police officer.” Any person employed or elected by this Commonwealth, or by any municipality and whose duty it is to preserve peace or to make arrests or to enforce the law. The term includes State constabulary, dog, game, fish and forest wardens.
Act 1982-225 of 1982 Sec. 3
Act 151 of 1996: Removed “State constabulary” and added “constables”.
“Police officer.” Any person employed or elected by this Commonwealth, or by any municipality and whose duty it is to preserve peace or to make arrests or to enforce the law. The term includes [State constabulary] constables and dog, game, fish and forest wardens.
Act 151 of 1996
Act 2008-119 of 2008: Maintains the definition and powers of Constables.
“Police officer.” Any person employed or elected by this Commonwealth, or by any municipality and whose duty it is to preserve peace or to make arrests or to enforce the law. The term includes constables and dog, game, fish and forest wardens.
Act 2008-119 of 2008
