Philadelphia
United States | Pennsylvania
Updated - July 11, 2025
Picture By: Philadelphia Police Department
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 Law Enforcement Agencies
| Agency (Click Me) |
Governing Body |
Type | Primary Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Police Department | Philadelphia | Munincipal Police | Philadelphia County's primary law enforcement |
| Philadelphia Sheriff's Office | Philadelphia | County Police | Philadelphia court security, fugative apprehension |
| Philadelphia Housing Authority Police Department | Philadelphia Housing Authority | Housing Police | Law enforcement for the Philadelphia Housing Authority |
| SEPTA Police Department | Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority | Railroad Police | Law enforcement for the SEPTA System |
| Delaware River Port Authority Police Department | Delaware River Port Authority | Transit Police | Law enforcement for DRPA and Patco properties |
| Temple University Police Department | Temple University | Campus Police | Law enforcement for Temple University Campuses |
| Jefferson Police Department | Thomas Jefferson University | Campus Police | Law enforcement for Thomas Jefferson Campuses |
| Penn Police Department | University of Pennsylvania | Campus Police | Law enforcement for the Penn Patrol Zone |
| Drexel University Police Department | Drexel University | Campus Police | Law enforcement for Drexel University Campuses |
| Pennsylvania State Police | Pennsylvania | State Police | Law enforcement for highways, unincorportaed communities, and protects state government officials |
| Pennsylvania State Constables | Pennsylvania | State Police | Election poll security, enforce criminal and civil laws, serves legal papers and warrants, private security |
| Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission | Pennsylvania | State Police | Protect's Pennsylvania's aquatic resources, enforces boating laws |
| Animal Law Enforcement | Pennsylvania SPCA | Humane Police | Enforces humane laws |
Federal Law Enforcement Agencies
*with a visible patrolling prescence*
| Agency | Governing Body | Primary Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Police Department | Amtrak | Law enforcement for Amtrak properties |
| US Postal Police | United States Postal Service | Law enforcement for USPS properties |
| Federal Protective Service | Department of Homeland Security | Law enforcement for federal properties |
| Federal Reserve Police | Federal Reserve Bank System | Law enforcement for the Federal Reserve |
| Law Enforcement Rangers | National Park Service | Law enforcement for NPS properties |
| Refuge Law Enforcement | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service | Law enforcement for FWS Refuges |
| Veterans Affairs Police Department | Veterains Affairs | Law enforcement for VA properties |
| US Navy Police | US Navy | Law enforcement for Navy properties |
| US Mint Police | US Mint | Law enforcement for US Mint properties |
| Customs and Border Protection | Department of Homeland Security | Protect ports of entry |
| US Coast Guard | Department of Homeland Security | Law enforcement for US waters |
Ability to issue Pennsylvania traffic citations?
| 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 |
| Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission | No |
| Animal Law Enforcement | No |
| Amtrak Police Department | Yes |
| US Postal Police | No |
| Federal Protective Service | No |
| Law Enforcement Rangers | No |
| Refuge Law Enforcement | No |
| 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.*