Time to expand sheriffs' roles

(Craig Dally is a Republican member of the Pa. House of Representatives from Bushkill Township in Northampton County.)

It's time for the state legislature to reaffirm the sheriffs' authority to perform law enforcement duties, based on the needs of the community and the budgetary constraints of each county.

Over the years, the county sheriff's office in Pennsylvania has evolved into a court security and prisoner transfer agency.

A February 2006 decision by the Pa. Supreme Court determined that sheriffs were not "investigative or law enforcement officers" under state law. A more recent decision applied that view to a case where deputy sheriffs discovered a meth lab.

Earlier this year, I reintroduced a bill that would give Pennsylvania's 2,500 sheriffs and deputy sheriffs the authority to participate in law enforcement and emergency activities as needed in their counties.

While crime rates increase and the need for more law enforcement grows, much of the media attention continues to be focused on restricting the constitutional rights of legitimate gun owners in Pennsylvania.

Supporters of broader gun control have never been able to provide a nexus between proposed new gun laws and a reduction in crime.

Even Joseph Fox, chief of detectives of the Philadelphia Police Department, said, "We have to stop pointing the finger everywhere but at the very people who prey on us each day. We refuse to hold people accountable for their actions and constantly make excuses for their inexcusable behavior. Until we're ready to strictly enforce the current laws, there is no reason for tougher ones."

I believe all law enforcement officials should have the wherewithal to enforce laws now on the books.

Sheriffs and their trained deputies are being paid, and their talents should be used to the fullest extent to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. They should be full partners in the fight against crime.