The Pennsylvania Citizen Law Enforcement Advisory and Review Commission (CLEAR) published its first reports in December after reviewing three police conduct cases involving state agencies. The commission’s findings highlight ongoing tensions between accountability measures and operational demands in law enforcement.

One case involved an officer-involved shooting during a standoff. A man, after hours of threatening police and aiming a firearm at an officer, was fatally shot in a two-stage incident. Internal investigations cleared the officer of wrongdoing, and he was reinstated two months later. However, the commission recommended that officers under investigation not return to duty until all administrative inquiries are complete.

The Pennsylvania State Police declined to adopt the recommendation, citing operational challenges. Col. Christopher Paris, writing on behalf of the agency, argued that sidelining specialized officers, such as those on emergency response teams, could jeopardize public safety. These officers, trained for critical incidents, may face multiple high-stakes situations annually. Prolonged administrative leave, Paris noted, could strain a workforce already grappling with retirements and recruitment challenges.

The commission also raised transparency concerns, suggesting officers involved in shootings provide written timelines of events and that defendants be allowed to submit written statements through legal counsel. State police pushed back, citing potential legal conflicts and the risk of undermining officers’ 5th Amendment protections. Currently, officers provide limited public safety statements immediately after incidents, followed by optional interviews during investigations.

Efforts to address transparency and accountability remain inconsistent. Pennsylvania is one of 36 states where individual officer records are inaccessible to the public, according to Police Scorecard. However, the state police are pursuing accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) to enhance trust and accountability.

As part of this process, the agency is encouraging public feedback through surveys, signaling a commitment to improving relations with the communities they serve.