By Krista Koontz, Humane Investigations Coordinator
As Humane Society Police Officers (HSPOs), we are often asked what it takes to be sworn in as an officer. The regulations to become a HSPO are set by the State of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Statutes Chapter 37 outlines what is required for appointment, what training an officer must complete and what authority Humane Officers hold.
For someone to become a HSPO, they must first complete a two-week training course. In the first week of training, each prospective officer must study criminal procedure and criminal law. It is important to understand what criminal laws HSPOs can enforce and how to do so. Future officers are also taught how to legally investigate incidents based on the Constitution and the law.
In the second week of training, prospective officers learn about proper animal husbandry practices. Humane Officers are sometimes called to farms to conduct investigations, which is an area not all officers are familiar with. In order to be able to help animals in all situations, HSPOs are trained to recognize standard agricultural practices and what may be a violation of the law. At the end of both weeks of training, officers must pass a test in order to graduate from training and be sworn in.
Humane Officers must be associated with a humane society or animal welfare organization as a paid employee or volunteer. This means that a person cannot simply go through the training and freelance as a Humane Officer. Once that is established, they must petition the court in the county that they will serve to be sworn in. HSPOs then have the authority to investigate cases of animal cruelty, abuse and neglect and the authority to make arrests and file charges against the offenders of these crimes.
The Humane Society Police Officers at Animal Friends have years of experience in law enforcement, emergency response and animal welfare to best help the animals we serve. This, along with our training, allow us to investigate these cases thoroughly and bring the best outcome for animals in need.
If you have witnessed animal cruelty in Allegheny County, contact our Humane Investigations team to give your eyewitness report at 412.847.7066.