A bill that would help address Pennsylvania’s shortage of police officers, passed the House of Representatives last week.

House Bill 863, authored by state Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, would reduce the physical fitness standards required for enrollment in a municipal police academy in Pennsylvania. However, the previous standards still would have to be met in order to be employed as a police officer in Pennsylvania.

A 2021 national survey conducted by the Police Executive Research Forum showed a 45% increase in retirements and an 18% increase in resignations over the previous year. Additionally, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Pennsylvania has around 1,300 open positions across the state.

“Vacancies in our local police departments put our communities at risk,” Williams said. “This legislation would bring more recruits into our police academies, while ultimately not lowering the physical fitness standards for employment as a municipal police officer in Pennsylvania.”

House Bill 863 now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Williams represents the 74th Legislative District in Chester County.