Harrisburg, PA – Less than a week after Governor Josh Shapiro signed the 2026-27 state budget into law, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) today emphasized that it will use funding from the enacted plan to further the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to public safety by making critical investments in staffing, innovative technology, and safety operations across the Commonwealth.
Since Governor Shapiro took office, violent crime has gone down 16%, and homicides have decreased by 39%. The 2026-27 budget builds on this progress by investing $16.2 million to train four additional PSP cadet classes, approximately 380 troopers, which delivers in full on a core promise the Governor made to put 2,000 more law enforcement officers and troopers on the beat in our communities.
The 2026-27 budget also supports:
- Information technology, ensuring PSP can utilize state-of-the-art resources to respond effectively to modern issues, like cybersecurity threats.
- Gun background checks to enforce responsible gun ownership and prevent illegal firearm purchases.
- Traffic enforcement to help prevent crashes and keep Pennsylvania roadways safe for all travelers.
- Upgrades and maintenance to PSP’s patrol vehicles, enhancing safety for both troopers and the public during traffic stops and other emergency responses.
- The statewide public safety radio system that connects first responders, providing a reliable source of communication during emergencies.
- PSP’s partnership with local law enforcement by continuing to provide annual grants for municipal police training.
Protecting the communities within our Commonwealth is at the foundation of everything we do,” said Lieutenant Colonel George L. Bivens, Acting Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “The PSP currently provides police coverage to over half of Pennsylvania’s 2,500 municipalities. Funding from this budget continues to deliver real results, ensuring our members have the resources available to meet the challenges of policing in today's society."
In total, Governor Shapiro has secured funding for twelve cadet classes to train over 1,000 new PSP troopers and obtained funding through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to help municipal police departments recruit and retain nearly 700 municipal police officers across the Commonwealth. To date, approximately 626 cadets have graduated and joined the ranks of PSP under Governor Shapiro’s leadership.
The 176th Cadet Class, which is set to graduate in August, will be the sixth class to complete the PSP Academy without a college credit requirement for the position of trooper. The Shapiro Administration eliminated the college requirement for applicants in August of 2023. PSP saw a 69% increase in applicants in 2025 compared to 2022, when the college credit requirement was still in place.
For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit the PSP website.