Kalim A. Bhatti / The Philadelphia Inquirer
Harrisburg’s city government is adding 18 new jobs to its police department in 2021, 16 of which are meant for civilians.
Mayor Eric Papenfuse proposed a new community policing division to increase cooperation with residents. He billed the changes as a strategy to heed nationwide calls for criminal justice reform while improving the department amid a spike in shootings.
The budget adds positions for two captains and two co-responders, who accompany police on some calls with a focus on mental health and crisis intervention. It also adds staff to manage record-keeping, equipment, and a sub-station in the Allison Hill neighborhood.