The Pennsylvania Capitol Police Force was established in 1895 under Governor Daniel Hartman Hastings, the Commonwealth's 23rd governor.  The enactment authorized the Capitol Police as the first Pennsylvania police agency under Commonwealth jurisdiction and the second oldest state police organization in the United States.
 
The original force was made up of six members who had the authority to protect state property and to enforce good order on state grounds and in state buildings.
 
The current patch worn by Capitol Police Officers in Harrisburg, Philadelphia Pittsburgh and Scranton was adopted in 1995.

Since the Capitol Police was first established in 1895, the responsibilities of the Capitol Police have grown and they have faced and met many challenges. The Capitol Police have progressively revised its goals and operations to meet the ever-changing needs of state government and the people it serves.
 
The Capitol Police is a multi-faceted law enforcement entity with varied responsibilities assigned and is charged with achieving a safe environment free of crime, to investigate all crimes committed on state property, to protect and serve employees and visitors while on state property as well as protecting property and grounds throughout the Capitol Complex and at state office buildings in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton.   These services are accomplished by either bicycle patrol, foot patrol, K-9 patrol, or police vehicle patrol.
 
The Capitol Police has evolved and manifested itself into a highly trained and professional law enforcement organization.  The Communications Center of the Capitol Police is a state of the art facility where sophisticated surveillance, security and fire equipment is monitored.  The Communications Center through its dispatchers provides the necessary support and response to emergencies as well as disseminating and satisfying the immediate information needs of those it serves.
 
The Capitol Police continues to offer current training needs for all state officials and employees in Bomb Threat Management, Bomb Recognition, Crime Prevention, Personal Safety and Workplace Security.  The training currently reflects changes and trends in behavior and crime and is updated on a regular basis.
 
Serving Our Commonwealth Since 1895