Gov. Ed Rendell signed a bill that would require the dismissal of state police troopers convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor.

The bill – SB877 – previously received unanimous consent by the Senate and House.

“What this does is put the State Police on a parity with municipal police as far as their not being able to stay on duty after they have been convicted of a felony or a more serious misdemeanor,” bill sponsor Sen. Robert J. Thompson, R-West Goshen Township, said in a recent statement.

“Up until now, the way the law is written, a state police trooper could stay on duty after he or she is convicted of a crime.”

Gov. Rendell said during the bill signing ceremony at the State Police Barracks in Coatesville, “The vast majority of our troopers are honorable men and women who provide a valuable service to the Commonwealth. This law ensures the removal of the very small number of bad apples whose actions erode the public’s confidence in this fine organization.”