Sheriff Seeks to Provide Presence at Penn State Home Games

It’s been nearly a decade since there was a Centre County Sheriff’s Office presence at Penn State home football games. However, a new mutual aid agreement between the county and the university may bring the department back to Beaver Stadium on Saturdays this fall.

Centre County Sheriff Bryan Sampsel attended the Aug. 23 meeting of the Centre County Board of Commissioners to ask the board to sign the agreement.

According to Sampsel, the contract would seek to send at least four, and up to eight, deputies to Beaver Stadium to provide law enforcement services at the seven home game this fall. Sampsel explained the deputies would take a transport van to night games and to “big games” to help assist with transports when necessary. The deputies would also provide an authoritative presence during the games.

“I think this is a good idea,” said commissioner Mark Higgins. “I’m glad we’re getting back to this.”

Sampsel said the last time the sheriff’s office was contracted for work during Penn State games was in 2008.

According to the contract agreement, the university agrees to reimburse the county for the law enforcement services. The county will bill Penn State and the university would then pay the county based on the overtime rate of $45 per hour.

Sampsel said since he took office, he has wanted to bring the department back to help with Penn State home football games. He said several deputies inquired about the work, and last spring, he said he began making calls. He also said he has recently attended police chiefs meetings, and the subject has come up several times.

“We want to be there to be able to help when we are needed,” said Sampsel.

The commissioners did not act on Sampsel’s request, although they all agreed it makes sense for the county to enter into an agreement with the university. The topic will be placed on the commissioners’ consent agenda and official action will be taken at next week’s board of commissioners meeting.

Chairman Commissioner Michael Pipe asked Sampsel if this would be a re-occurring contract, to which Sampsel replied, “I hope.”

He said next year, a new contract with the university could be drafted, or the current one, if approved, could be renewed.