Panel advances bill letting some housing authorities create police forces; debate over local control and jurisdiction

House Bill 822, introduced by Chairman Freeman, would amend the housing authority law to allow housing authorities in cities of the second class A and third class to appoint police officers who may exercise the same powers municipal police have on housing authority property and adjacent properties, provided those officers receive municipal police training and certification from the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission.

Chairman Freeman said authorizing housing authority police would give public housing residents — including elderly tenants and families — additional protection and the possibility of more consistent community policing. "Having your own police force is a way to ensure greater protection for the residents of public housing, particularly the elderly and children," he said.

Representative Miller raised objections focused on democratic accountability and jurisdictional complexity, saying police powers are significant and should remain under the authority of elected officials. He also asked whether creating housing police could compete with municipal recruitment needs. Freeman and other supporters said the municipal police would retain overall jurisdiction and housing authorities would have the option, not a mandate, to form forces; supporters noted the model already exists in larger cities and argued the option could use housing authority federal funds to avoid municipal budget strain.

The committee took a recorded vote; the chair announced the bill was reported to the House with a vote of 15 yes, 11 no. The measure grants an option to housing authorities but requires state police training and continued certification as a condition of employment.