§ 14340 — Appointment, duties and compensation of county detectives

Pennsylvania § 14340

• Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
• Title 16: COUNTIES
• Part: PART IV
• Ch. 143: DISTRICT ATTORNEY, ASSISTANTS AND DETECTIVES
• Subch.: COUNTY DETECTIVES

Text

(a) Counties of second class A, third and fourth class.--

(1) In counties of the second class A, the district attorney may appoint one chief county detective, an assistant chief county detective and as many county detectives, sergeants, special county detectives and junior county detectives as the county salary board shall fix.

(2) In counties of the third and fourth classes, the district attorney may appoint one chief county detective, one assistant county detective and other county detectives as the county salary board may authorize.

(b) Counties of fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth class.--In counties of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth class, the district attorney may appoint one chief county detective and other county detectives as the county salary board may authorize.

(c) Duties.--County detectives are subject to the orders of the district attorney and shall:

(1) Investigate and make reports to the district attorney as to the conduct in office of magistrates, constables, deputy constables and other officers connected with the administration of criminal law.

(2) Make investigations and endeavor to obtain evidence required by the district attorney in criminal cases.

(3) Perform other duties as the district attorney may direct.

(d) Powers.--

(1) County detectives shall be general police officers and shall have the powers conferred on constables by the laws of this Commonwealth relating to criminal law and procedures.

(2) In counties of the second class A, county detectives shall serve subpoenas in cases in which the Commonwealth is a party in a court of record.

(e) Fees and compensation.--

(1) In counties of the second class A, county detectives of every grade and rank may not be entitled to receive fees but shall receive a salary as fixed by the county salary board and necessary travel expenses. Upon verification by affidavit of a detective and approval by the district attorney, the salary and expenses of the detective shall be paid out of the treasury of the county on a certificate issued by the district attorney directed to the controller of the county, who shall order warrants for the amounts according to law.

(2) In counties of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth class, county detectives of every grade and rank, in addition to an annual salary, shall be allowed all expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of the duties. The salaries and expenses shall be paid by the county as provided by law. County detectives shall not be entitled to fees.