Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 131.6 - Administration of police powers by wildlife conservation officers(a)General. (1) Section 901(a)(17) of the act (relating to powers and duties of enforcement officers) authorizes wildlife conservation officers, when acting within the scope of their employment, to pursue, apprehend or arrest any individual suspected of violating any provision of 18 Pa.C.S. (relating to Crimes Code) or any other offense classified as a misdemeanor or felony and, in addition, to serve and execute warrants and subpoenas for these offenses.(2) For the purposes of enforcement of the authority granted by section 901(a)(17) of the act, "when acting within the scope of their employment" means that period of time that a wildlife conservation officer is currently engaged in any activity the officer is employed to perform at the time and places the officer is authorized to perform the activity.(b)Limitation. A wildlife conservation officer will arrest or take other appropriate enforcement action pursuant to the authority vested by section 901(a)(17) of the act only in one or more of the following circumstances:(1) The offense occurs in the officer's presence.(2) The offense occurs on lands or waters owned, leased or otherwise controlled by the Commission.(3) The offense arises out of Commission operations.(4) Another law enforcement agency has reasonably requested the assistance.The provisions of this §131.6 adopted May 3, 1991, effective 7/1/1991, 21 Pa.B. 2009; amended June 29, 2007, effective 6/30/2007, 37 Pa.B. 2947; amended May 27, 2016, effective 5/28/2016, 46 Pa.B. 2664.The provisions of this §131.6 amended under the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. §§ 322 and 901(a)(17).