Bucks DA Joe Khan Releases Report On Building A 21st Century DA’s Office
DOYLESTOWN, PA — Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan has formally released a comprehensive transition report outlining a sweeping modernization effort for the District Attorney’s Office, aimed at improving efficiency, strengthening public accountability, and expanding protections for residents beyond traditional criminal prosecutions.
The report, titled “Building a 21st Century DA’s Office,” was developed by a transition committee that spent months evaluating the operations of the county’s prosecutorial agency and crafting recommendations for reform.
“I am thankful for the incredible work of the Transition Committee who have put hours into crafting these recommendations to help the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office reach new heights,” Khan said. “Some of the recommendations have already been implemented successfully, and we look forward to reviewing and adopting the remaining recommendations in the months to come.”
The initiative began before Khan took office when an 11-member committee of experienced attorneys launched an extensive review of the agency’s operations. The committee eventually expanded to 24 members, including legal professionals, subject matter experts, and current staff members. Over a 120-day period, the group examined records, interviewed personnel, and produced 50 recommendations designed to modernize the office.
Among the most significant changes is the creation of a dedicated Special Investigations Unit (SIU) tasked with handling public corruption and official misconduct investigations. The unit will operate under a separate reporting structure and utilize specialized prosecutors and detectives to safeguard the integrity of sensitive cases.
The report also highlights a broader expansion of the office’s mission. In addition to traditional criminal prosecutions, the District Attorney’s Office is increasing its focus on consumer protection, environmental enforcement, worker protections, and corporate accountability.
Transition Committee Co-Chair and Chief of Staff Brendan Flynn said the office is already pursuing enforcement efforts in these areas, including litigation against a Dublin Township landlord over housing conditions and legal action against major social media companies over alleged deceptive practices affecting minors.
To improve investigative efficiency, Khan appointed Jack Slattery as Chief of County Detectives and reorganized the Detective Division around specialized areas of expertise. The restructuring is designed to improve coordination between detectives and prosecutors while streamlining case management.
Another notable operational change involves relocating the Chief of Detectives and an active investigative squad back into the Bucks County Justice Center. Officials say the move will eliminate a decade-long physical separation between detectives and prosecutors, allowing for greater collaboration on active investigations.
The report also emphasizes resolving appropriate low-level criminal cases earlier in the judicial process, particularly at the Magisterial District Judge level. According to the office, this strategy is intended to reduce court backlogs, allow prosecutors to focus on more serious offenses, and address a longstanding backlog of property forfeiture cases.
Protecting senior citizens from financial exploitation is another priority outlined in the report. The office plans to integrate its Economic Crime, Civil Enforcement, and Special Victims units into a coordinated effort designed to quickly identify scams and freeze assets before stolen funds can be transferred beyond recovery.
The transition report was released within Khan’s first 180 days in office as part of a commitment to transparency and public accountability. The report further recommends that the office publish a formal progress update within one year to track implementation of the recommendations and measure results.
“We live in challenging times, in which people have lost faith in government at all levels,” said Transition Team Co-Chair Tom Jennings. “District Attorneys, particularly in Pennsylvania, are uniquely situated to rise above politics and take action to make people’s lives better.”
A follow-up progress report detailing the implementation of the recommendations is expected within one year.
READ THE REPORT BELOW