Pennsylvania State Police Headquarters – Harrisburg, PA

Pennsylvania State Police Departmental Headquarters

Central Repository and Administrative Services

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Departmental Headquarters, located on Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg, serves as the administrative command center for the statewide law enforcement agency. While it does not function as a standard patrol station for emergency calls, it houses critical public services including the Criminal Records and Identification Division. This facility is the primary hub for processing Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) background checks, which are essential for employment and volunteer work across the Commonwealth.

• PATCH Background Checks: Public access to criminal history records for employment, housing, and volunteer purposes.
• Firearms Division: Administering the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) for firearm purchases and transfers.
• Megan’s Law Section: Maintaining the statewide registry of sexual offenders.
• Crash Reports: Central repository for processing and distributing accident reports to involved parties and insurance companies.

Visiting Headquarters

Public access to the headquarters is strictly controlled. Visitors seeking background checks or fingerprinting services must enter through the main lobby and pass through security screening. Electronic devices and weapons are prohibited in secure areas. For those needing a criminal record check, utilizing the online PATCH system is often faster than visiting in person, though the lobby kiosks are available for public use. 🚓 👮‍♂️ 📂

Important Note

This location is the administrative headquarters (DHQ). For emergency police assistance or to report a crime in progress, citizens should dial 911 or contact their local troop barracks. This facility focuses on records, administration, and statewide specialized units rather than patrol operations.