Philadelphia
United States | Pennsylvania
Updated - July 11, 2025
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Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania by population. Philadelphia Police Department is the primary responding agency, and is the fifth largest police department in the US.
*Only agencies with a visible prescence and primary jurisdictions are listed. Other law enforcement agencies may be seen in Philadelphia*
-Clicking the agency's name takes you to their homepage-
Local Agencies
| Agency (Click Me) |
Governing Body |
Type | Primary Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Police Department | Philadelphia | Munincipal Police | Philadelphia County |
| Philadelphia Sheriff's Office | Philadelphia | County Police | Philadelphia County |
| Philadelphia Housing Authority Police Department | Philadelphia Housing Authority | Housing Police | Philadelphia Housing Authority property |
| SEPTA Police Department | Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority | Railroad Police | SEPTA System (PA, NJ, DE) |
| Delaware River Port Authority Police Department | Delaware River Port Authority | Transit Police | DRPA and Patco properties (Pa & NJ) |
| Temple University Police Department | Temple University | Campus Police | Main Campus - Health & Sciences - Ambler Campus (500 yards from University property) |
| Jefferson Police Department | Thomas Jefferson University | Campus Police | Campus Boundary (500 yards from University property) |
| Penn Police Department | University of Pennsylvania | Campus Police | Penn Patrol Zone (500 yards from University property) |
| Drexel University Police Department | Drexel University | Campus Police | University City Campus (500 yards from University property) - Center City Campus |
| Pennsylvania State Police | Pennsylvania | State Police | Pennsylvania, interstates, PA Turnpike, areas without their own police force |
| Pennsylvania State Constables | Pennsylvania | State Police | Pennsylvania |
| Fish & Boat Commission | Pennsylvania | State Police | Pennsylvania Waters |
| Animal Law Enforcement | Pennsylvania SPCA | Humane Police | Animal crimes |
Federal Agencies
*with a visible patrolling prescence*
| Agency | Governing Body | Type | Primary Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Police Department | Amtrak | Railroad Police | Amtrak Property throughout the US. |
| US Postal Police | USPS | Federal Police | USPS properties |
| Federal Protective Service | DHS | Federal Police | Federal properties |
| Law Enforcement Rangers | NPS | Federal Police | NPS properties. Independence National Historical Park |
| Veterans Affairs Police Department | Veterains Affairs | Federal Police | VA properties |
| US Navy Police | US Navy | Military Police | Navy properties in the Navy Yard |
| US Mint Police | US Mint | Federal Police | US Mint properties |
| Customs and Border Protection | DHS | Federal Police | Ports of entry |
| US Coast Guard | DHS | Federal Police | US coastal waters |
Ability to enforce the Pennsylvania vehicle code?
| Agency | Yes/No |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia Police Department | Yes |
| Philadelphia Sheriff's Office | Yes |
| Philadelphia Housing Authority Police Department | Yes |
| SEPTA Police Department | Yes |
| Delaware River Port Authority Police Department | Yes |
| Temple University Police Department | Yes |
| Jefferson Police Department | Yes |
| Penn Police Department | Yes |
| Drexel University Police Department | Yes |
| Pennsylvania State Police | Yes |
| Pennsylvania State Constables | No |
| Fish & Boat Commission | Yes |
| Animal Law Enforcement | No |
| Amtrak Police Department | Yes |
| US Postal Police | No |
| Federal Protective Service | No |
| Law Enforcement Rangers | Yes |
| Veterans Affairs Police Department | No |
| US Navy Police | No |
| US Mint Police | No |
| Customs and Border Protection | No |
| US Coast Guard | No |
*Federal officers can pull you over. They may issue federal traffic tickets on or near federal property.
The Assimilative Crimes Act allows federal officers to enforce state traffic laws on federal property.
Federal officers may also intervene when there is a public safety risk such as a dwi.
- Some uniformed federal officers may be deputized by the state, allowing them to enforce state traffic laws.
- Customs and Border Protection officers may conduct vehicle stops anywhere within the 100 mile zone.*