Philadelphia Police Department - Misconduct

Misconduct

The Philadelphia Police Department is a large organization with a long history. This history has included cases of misconduct by police officers.

In 1967, Police Commissioner Frank Rizzo came under fire for his handling of the 1967 Philadelphia Student Demonstrations.

In 1985, the Philadelphia Police dropped a mixture of civilian and military explosives on a "home-made" wooden bunker, built on the roof of the Osage Avenue house occupied by members of the MOVE organization. The bomb ignited several barrels of gasoline starting a fire which destroyed the entire block, leaving 250 people homeless, and killed eleven people.

In the early 1990s, a corruption scandal centered around officers in the department's 39th district in North Philadelphia led to the prosecutions of six officers, and attracted nationwide attention.

In 2009, a Philadelphia police officer, Frank Tepper shot and killed a neighbor in an incident not related to the police department. In 2011, he was found guilty of first-degree murder. State law requires a sentence of life.

In April, 2010, Officer Robert Ralston, a 21 year veteran of the PPD shot himself in the shoulder and claimed that he had been shot by one of two African Americans who he claimed had fled the scene. His statements resulted in a massive manhunt including SWAT personnel. After being confronted with evidence showing that he had shot himself and was offered immunity he confirmed that the wound was self-inflicted. As of June 2010 Ralston had been fired after being placed on paid leave following the admission.

In June 2011, Officer Howard Lomax became the 27th Philadelphia Police officer arrested in the previous two years.

In March 2012, Officer Keith Corley was found guilty on charges of indecent exposure and official repression related to his having sex in his police car with a woman while he was on duty. He was acquitted on more serious charges.

In September 2012, Lt. Jonathan Josey punched a woman Aida Guzman in the face during a Puerto Rican Day Parade at 5th and Lehigh in Kensington; he was reported saying 'thats what you get' as she was laying on the ground;