Waugh Introduces PA Law Enforcement Officer Legislation 

PennDOT message boards would alert motorists to fleeing suspects involved in an assault or murder of a police officer

HARRISBURG – Senator Mike Waugh (R-York) has introduced Senate Bill 1606 to create the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Officer Alert (PA LEO Alert) Law to utilize Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) message boards to notify motorists when a police officer is either assaulted or killed and the perpetrator is fleeing in a vehicle. 

"PennDOT has been making great strides with installing message boards along the Commonwealth's highways, and these boards can already be used for such things as Amber Alerts," said Waugh.  "The PA LEO Alert system will allow for similar use while aiding in the capture of criminals and protecting those individuals that may encounter a fleeing suspect." 

Local law enforcement agencies will forward a PA LEO Alert request to the Pennsylvania State Police Public Information Office in Harrisburg, which will evaluate it.  If it is determined the incident and request are appropriate for display on the message boards, the State Police will contact PennDOT with the information for posting on the boards. 

The message board notification will include a description of the suspect, a description of the vehicle, the license plate (if available) and the party to call if the suspect is spotted.