Greenleaf Bill Proposes Pay for Municipal Police Serving Warrants

HARRISBURG—Senate Bill 214, a measure sponsored by Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf to permit municipal police to be reimbursed for serving warrants, was approved by the State Senate.

Greenleaf said he introduced the bill at the urging of some magisterial district judges who have complained that, in some areas, it is difficult to find a constable to serve a warrant. The legislation will reimburse municipal police for doing this job, and, in areas where there are no municipal police, State Police would be reimbursed for doing the job.  The legislation would not prevent constables from serving warrants if they are available and willing to do so.

The bill would amend the Judicial Code to add a section providing for a reimbursement to police of $35 per defendant, regardless of the number of warrants.  The fee would be considered a court cost collected from the defendant and remitted to the municipality that served the warrant.

Greenleaf said the intention of the bill is to ensure the smooth working of the justice system.