Overview
The Equality and Inclusion Office (EIO), located in Department Headquarters, Harrisburg, PA, is assigned to the Deputy Commissioner of Administration and Professional Responsibility. The office is responsible for verifying Equal Employment Opportunity compliance, training Department personnel, monitoring recruitment practices, and performing grievance or complaint investigations.
Notice to the public
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) gives public notice of its policy to uphold and assure full compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related nondiscrimination authorities. Title VI and related nondiscrimination authorities stipulate that no person in the United States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
Any person who desires more information regarding the PSP’s Title VI Program can contact its Title VI Coordinator, Major Vincent D'Angelo, at the address noted below. The current Title VI Program Compliance Plan (PDF) is available for viewing.
Any person who believes they have, individually, or as a member of any specific class of persons, been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability has the right to file a formal complaint. Any such complaint must be in writing and submitted within 180 days following the date of the alleged occurrence to:
Major Vincent D'Angelo, EIO Director
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Telephone: 717-787-7220
Complaints may also be submitted to ra-pspequalempoppoff@pa.gov.
Training and education
The EIO provides training to Department personnel on topics such as recognizing and preventing:
- Discrimination
- Harassment, including sexual harassment
- Retaliation
Department personnel are educated regarding their rights and avenues of recourse under EIO policies and laws. The office also meets with management to discuss EIO objectives and future plans for the Department.
Recruitment
The EIO monitors hiring and selection practices to ensure the Department complies with applicable nondiscrimination laws and policies. The Department’s latest utilization report is available.
The Recruitment Services Section leads the Department’s recruitment efforts. Many of the recruitment activities are documented in the Department’s EEO Plan.
Inquiries and investigations
The EIO is responsible for ensuring the Department remains proactive in its support of the Commonwealth’s zero-tolerance policies relating to acts of:
- Discrimination
- Harassment, including sexual harassment
- Retaliation
- Inequitable employment actions
Additional responsibilities include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complaint reviews. All inquiries/investigations are conducted in a prompt, confidential and professional manner and are reviewed for appropriate action or referral. Anyone who may have a complaint or compliment concerning an employee of the Pennsylvania State Police may review our compliment/complaint procedures.
Commitment to the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
It is the policy of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) to provide reasonable accommodations to recipients of services, programs, and activities provided by the Department to the public. No qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be denied reasonable accommodation for, excluded from participation in, or denied the benefit of said services, programs, or activities.
ADA/Section 504 Grievance
All attempts shall be made to resolve concerns through informal means at any stage of the process. A grievance procedure has been established to meet the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. These procedures and accompanying complaint form should be used by individuals wishing to file a complaint alleging discrimination by the PSP on the basis of disability, regarding access to or the provision of the services, activities, programs and facilities of the Department.
Access the ADA/Section 504 PDF grievance form or the ADA/Section 504 online grievance form.
Review the ADA/Section 504 grievance procedure.
Internal discrimination complaint - Department personnel or applicants
Department personnel and applicants alleging disability-related discrimination related to employment should follow the steps outlined in Administrative Regulation 4-26 to make an internal EEO Discrimination Complaint, using the internal discrimination complaint form instead of using the ADA/Section 504 grievance procedure.
Equal Employment Opportunity reporting and complaints
The Equal Employment Opportunity Plan is disseminated annually to provide Department personnel with information concerning diversity within the Department workforce. The plan is also used to implement and support the Commonwealth’s Equal Opportunity Programs.
If you have an EEO-related complaint which relates to employment matters, please download and complete the discrimination complaint form. Once completed, please e-mail, mail or fax it to the Director, Equality and Inclusion Office.
If you have a discrimination complaint which does not involve employment, but rather the provision of police programs or activities provided by the Pennsylvania State Police, please download and complete the Title VI Discrimination Complaint Form. Once completed, email, mail, or fax it to the Director, Equality and Inclusion Office.