§ 13718 — Park rangers

(a) Authority of council.--Under the provisions of this chapter, council may provide, by ordinance, for the selection and employment of the number of individuals deemed necessary to act as park rangers, fix compensation and duties and provide for uniforms.

(b) Authority of park ranger.--To the extent authorized by 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D (relating to municipal police education and training), an individual appointed as a park ranger under an ordinance passed under the provisions of subsection (a) shall have, in a park and playground and other public place in the city and beyond the limits of the city when the city has acquired land, property and a building for a park and playground or another public purpose, the same power in preserving the peace, maintaining order and making arrests as a police officer has in the city.

(c) Supervision, control and direction.--A park ranger shall be under the supervision, control and direction of the director of the department of parks and public property or, if none exists, another department as council directs.

(d) Definition.--For purposes of the act of June 28, 1935 (P.L.477, No.193), referred to as the Enforcement Officer Disability Benefits Law (Heart and Lung Act), the term "park ranger," as used in this section, shall mean a park guard.