The PA APCO Chapter filed for incorporation on April 16, 1982 and held its first meeting at the Excellent Inn in Harrisburg, PA on May 27,1982.  Charter Number 41 was issued by APCO to the Pennsylvania Chapter on October 27, 1982.

The purposes for which PA APCO was organized are:
A. Lend support to, create interest in and foster expansion of the Associated Public-Safety Communications Officers, Inc.;
B. Foster the development and progress of public-safety communications and inter-communications by means of research, planning, training and education;
C. Promote cooperation between towns, cities, states and various federal and state agencies in the area of communications and between the various intra-service and inter-service users of the radio spectrum including the police, fire, highway, emergency medical, rescue, forestry, conservation, local government and other such communications users and providers including the telephone and computer industries;
D. Strive toward the goal that the safety of human lives, protection of property and the civic welfare are benefitted to the utmost degree;
E. Aid and assist in the development of methods, systems and all other media for the rapid and accurate collection, exchange and dissemination of information relating to crime and criminal activity, emergencies and other vitally important information of a public safety emergency nature;
F.  Provide assistance to public-safety organizations and bodies in the matter of their requirements relating to communication equipment and its operation, and in the framing of legislation, regulatory policies and procedures in matters pertaining to public safety communication policy;
G. Provide for membership in this Association in accordance with the language and intent of its Constitution and Bylaws which are now, and may later be, in effect;
H. Encourage and promote coordination between all related agencies and other tax supported public agencies and of the communication units thereof.  To aid, assist said public agencies in matters pertaining to communication channels, methods, systems policies and procedures;
I. Participate in National and Regional conferences and projects or other activities or functions in accord with the Constitution and Bylaws, rules, policies or other criteria as established by the National Association, and conduct all lawful activities in which a non-profit corporation may engage in pursuit of these purposes.