Philadelphia Police Department

Present day

The PPD employs over 6,400 sworn officers and over 800 civilian personnel, and patrols an area of 369.4 km² (142.6 mi²) with a population of almost 1.5 million. The department is subdivided into 21 patrol districts, and like many other large municipal police forces, it incorporates many special units such as a K-9 squad, SWAT, bomb squad, community relations unit, and marine unit. The highest-ranking officer is Commissioner Richard Ross.

Organization

The head of the PPD is the commissioner, who is appointed by the mayor. The current commissioner is Richard Ross (2016 – Present). Under the commissioner are two three-star deputy commissioners. The First Deputy Commissioner heads Field Operations. The Deputy Commissioner and Chief Administrative Officer heads Organizational Services, Strategy, and Innovation.

The Office of Field Operations is headed by the three-star First Deputy Commissioner of Field Operations, currently Richard Ross Jr.(2012 – Present). The force comprises two commands, Patrol Operations and, Specialized Operations and Homeland Security; each command is headed by a two-star Deputy Commissioner. The Specialized Operations and Homeland Security command is headed by a two-star Deputy Commissioner, currently Thomas Wright, and divided into two bureaus, Specialized Investigations and Homeland Security Bureau; each is headed by a chief inspector and further subdivided into several units.

The Office of Organizational Services, Strategy, and Innovation is headed by the three-star Deputy Commissioner and Chief Administrative Officer, currently Nola Joyce (2012 – Present).

Patrol Operations is headed by a two-star Deputy Commissioner of Patrol Operations, currently Kevin Bethel, who oversees both the patrol and detective units. Patrol Operations is divided into two regional commands, Regional Operations Command (North) and Regional Operations Command (South). Each regional command is headed by a chief inspector, and is subdivided into three divisions (ROC-North: East, Northwest, Northeast; ROC-South: Central, Southwest, South). Each division is headed by an inspector. A division comprises three or four districts; there are 21 patrol districts in all, and each district is headed by a captain. Each district is subdivided into three or four police service areas (PSA's), each headed by a lieutenant, for a total of 64 PSA's citywide.

In January 2013, Commissioner Ramsey announced changes to the command structure of the department lowering the number of deputy commissioners from 9 to 6. Ramsey only replaced one of the deputies who was promoted from staff inspector of the Internal Affairs Bureau to deputy commissioner of the Office of Professional Responsibility.

Mounted units

The beginnings of the mounted unit can be traced to the Fairmount Park Mounted Guard created in 1867. In 1889 the Philadelphia Police Mounted Patrol Unit was established. The Philadelphia Police unit survived until 1952, however, the Fairmount Park unit would be used for parades and crowd control measures. The Fairmount Park Mounted Guard became the Fairmount Park Police in 1966, but maintained the same responsibilities. In 1972, Mayor Frank Rizzo found it unnecessary for taxpayers to fund two separate police departments, and merged the Fairmount Park Police into the Philadelphia Police, creating the Park Division. The mounted unit was once again used to patrol the streets of Philadelphia. The mounted unit survived to celebrate 100 years in 1989, but was disbanded in 2004 due to budgetary cuts by Mayor John F. Street's administration. On July 18, 2008, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey confirmed that plans are in the works to recreate the mounted unit. The Philadelphia Inquirer again reported on June 2, 2009, that Ramsey hoped to revive the unit once the city was in a better financial standing. The continued recreation of the Mounted Unit took an additional step forward on October 31, 2011, when the City of Philadelphia announced plans to build a new facility for the unit in Fairmount Park.

Description

To be promoted in the Philadelphia Police Department, a police officer must finish his first year in the department. Then, when the next corporal or detective test is announced, they are eligible to take the test. Philadelphia PD Test for corporal and detectives is a written multiple choice test, lasting two to three hours. Also part of an officer's score is based on seniority.

The ranks of corporal and detective have the same pay grade, but have different functions. Corporals are "operations room supervisors" and are responsible for overseeing a patrol district's operations room, or a special unit's operations; i.e., ensure that reports are submitted accurately and in a timely manner, etc. Only rarely do corporals work the street. A corporal must have a minimum of a year's experience as a police officer.

Sergeants command a squad of officers, making assignments to beats, assigning traffic details, helping to supervise the radio room, commanding Marine Unit patrol boats and performing other similar tasks. When assigned to the detective bureau, a sergeant interviews suspects and witnesses, assigns detectives to cases and investigates clues, among other duties. Sergeants must have a minimum of two years experience as a police officer, or a year's experience as a corporal or detective.

The rank of lieutenant is the first executive supervisory rank. Lieutenants command an assigned area in a police district or a specialized unit, such as a traffic unit. If assigned as a detective, a lieutenant supervises an investigation. Lieutenants must have a minimum of one year's experience as a sergeant.

Captains either command police districts or direct the activities of a specialized unit. When assigned as a detective, a captain organizes and directs surveillance activities and police raids, prepares cases, interviews and interrogates suspects and testifies in court. Captains must have a minimum of one year's experience as a lieutenant.

Staff inspectors are usually departmental administrative officers, serving on the police Command Staff under a commissioner or deputy commissioner. They are generally assigned to inspect police divisions, districts and units, evaluate police practices, equipment and personnel, and make recommendations for improvement where necessary; however, they may also command units and divisions. Staff Inspectors must have a minimum of one year's service as a captain.

Inspectors are senior executive officers who typically command divisions and supervise officers under their command during any major police action, disaster or emergency. Inspectors must have a minimum of one year's service as a staff inspector or captain.

Chief inspectors are senior departmental administrative officers who either command bureaus within the department or who inspect police divisions, districts and units, evaluate police practices, equipment and personnel, and make recommendations for improvement where necessary. Chief inspectors must have a minimum of one year's service as a staff inspector or inspector.

Deputy commissioners and above are appointed by the city managing director with mayoral approval, not by the city civil service. Deputy commissioners are usually in charge of a regional command.

The two first deputy commissioners head the Office of Field Operations and the Office of Organizational Accountability.

The commissioner is appointed by the city managing director with mayoral approval, and is in charge of the entire department.

Detectives

Detectives are part of the Detective Bureau, and may be assigned to Divisional Detective Units, or specialized units like Homicide, Organized Crime/Intelligence, Special Victims Unit, Gun Permits Unit and Background Investigation. The commanding officer of a detective division reports to the Inspector of Detective Bureau Headquarters. The ranking supervisor at Detective Bureau Headquarters is the Chief Inspector of the Detective Bureau. Detectives are not considered supervisory personnel, they are a civil service rank of their own and take orders from a sergeant. There are also police officers who serve in an investigative capacity, such as in the Juvenile Aid and Special Victims Units. Police officers who are assigned to the Detective Bureau are paid in the same pay scale as a police officer assigned to patrol.

Unlike most law enforcement agencies, the Philadelphia Police Department Detective Bureau does not maintain the ranks such as detective sergeant or detective lieutenant, etc. The supervisors (Sergeant, Lieutenant & Captain) in the Detective Bureau can be transferred back to patrol, and are required to maintain a uniform. Also, unlike other departments such as NYPD and LAPD, Philadelphia Police Detectives do not have a uniform that can be worn during details or funerals. The prescribed attire of a Philadelphia Police detective is proper business attire. In the Philadelphia Police Department, the rank of detective can only be made by a civil service exam and there are no grade differentiations. This is in contrast to NYPD that has the ability to make field promotions to the rank of detective for an outstanding performance or circumstance.

Police Marshals

John J. Keyser, 1850–1853

John K. Murphy, 1853–1855

Chiefs of Police

Samuel G. Ruggles, 1855–1867

St. Clair A. Mulholland, 1867–1872

Kennard Jones, 1872–1879

Samuel L. Given, 1879–1884

James Stewart, 1884–1887

James Lamon, 1887–1892

Superintendents of Police

Robert Linden, 1892–1899

Harry M. Quick, 1899–1904

John B. Taylor, 1904–1912

James Robinson, 1912–1920

William B. Mills, 1920–1931

Joseph E. Lestrange, 1931–1936

James H. Malone, 1936–1937

Edward Hubbs, 1937–1940

Howard P. Sutton, 1950–1952

Police Commissioners

Thomas J. Gibbons, 1952–1960

Albert N. Brown, 1960–1962

Howard Leary, 1962–1965

Edward J. Bell, 1966–1967

Frank L. Rizzo, 1967–1971 (first Italian American commissioner, later Mayor of Philadelphia)

Joseph F. O'Neill, 1971–1980

Morton B. Solomon, 1980–1984

Gregore J. Sambor, 1984–1985

Robert F. Armstrong, 1985–1986 (interim)

Kevin M. Tucker, 1986–1988 (First commissioner from outside the police department since the 1920s)

Willie L. Williams, 1988–1992 (first African American commissioner, later chief of the LAPD)

Richard Neal, 1992–1998

John Timoney, 1998–2002 (formerly a police consultant)

Sylvester Johnson, 2002–2008

Charles H. Ramsey 2008–2015

Richard Ross Jr. 2016–present

Districts

The following is a list of districts that the Philadelphia Police serve:

East Division

25th District

Station: 3901 Whitaker Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124

Commander: Captain Michael Cram

24th District

Station: 3901 Whitaker Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124

Commander: Captain Daniel O'Connor

26th District

Station: E. Girard Ave and Montgomery Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125

Commander: Captain George Kappe

Northwest Division

5th District

Station: Ridge Ave and Cinnaminson St., Philadelphia, PA 19128

Commander: Captain John Moroney

39th District

Station: 2201 W. Hunting Park Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19140

Commander: Captain Anthony Ginaldi

35th District

Station: N Broad St and Champlost St., Philadelphia, PA 19141

Commander: Captain Derrick Wood

14th District

Station: Haines St and Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144

Commander: Captain Sekou Kinebrew

Northeast Division

2nd District

Station: Harbison Ave. and Levick St., Philadelphia, PA 19149

Commander: Captain Thomas McLean

7th District

Station: Bustleton Ave. and Bowler St., Philadelphia, PA 19115

Commander: Captain Michael Gormley

8th District

Station: Academy Rd. and Red Lion Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19154

Commander: Captain Adam Friedman

15th Dist.

Station: Harbison Ave and Levick St., Philadelphia, PA 19149

Commander: Captain Anthony Luca

Central Division

6th District

Station: 235 N 11th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107

Commander: Captain John J. Ryan

9th District

Station: 401 N. 21st St., Philadelphia, PA 19130

Commander: Captain Ray Convery

22nd District

Station: 17th St and Montgomery Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19121

Commander: Captain Kpana Massaquoi

Southwest Division

19th District

Station: 61st St and Thompson St., Philadelphia, PA 19151

Commander: Captain John Stanford

18th District

Station: 55th St and Pine St., Philadelphia, PA 19143

Commander: Captain Robin Wimberly

16th District

Station: 39th St and Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104

Commander: Captain Altovise Love-Craighead

12th District

Station: 65th St. and Woodland Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19142

Commander: Captain DeShawn Beaufort

South Division

1st District

Station: 24th St. and Wolf St., Philadelphia, PA 19145

Commander: Captain Louis Campione

3rd District

Station: 11th St and Wharton St., Philadelphia, PA 19147

Commander: Captain Frank Milillo

17th District

Station: 20th St and Federal St., Philadelphia, PA 19146

Commander: Captain Deborah Francis

Demographics

The PPD's officers are and have been of many ethnicities. A large number of Irish Americans have been PPD officers since the 1850s.

Male: 70%

Female: 30%

White: 55.6%

African-American/Black: 36.4%

Hispanic: 6.5%

Other: 1.5%

Bureaus

Special Operations

Patrol

Narcotics

Detective

Training

Administration

Staff Services

Internal Affairs

Decorations

See: United States law enforcement decorations#Philadelphia Police Department

Sgt. Robert F. Wilson III Commendation for Valor

Commendation for Bravery

Commendation for Heroism

Commendation for Merit

Commendatory Citation

RNC Service Ribbon

Military Service Ribbon

George Fencl Award

The George Fencl Award, named in honor of Philadelphia Police Officer George Fencl, is given by the Daily News to a Philadelphia Police Officer who exemplifies compassion, fairness, and civic commitment. The award was first given in 1986.

Notable events

1881, the Philadelphia Police Department hired its first African-American police officer.

1887, the police department was put under control of the city's Department of Public Safety. Two years later, the PPD inaugurated its mounted patrol, which was disbanded in 2004 but restored in 2011.

1906, the motorcycle was introduced to the Philadelphia police.

1939, radio-installed patrol cars were put into use.

1964, a race riot broke out in North Philadelphia, calling every police officer in the city to duty.

1970, a well publicized raid of the Black Panther Party occurs. During the weekend of 29–30 August 1970, seven Philadelphia policemen were shot during widespread racial tension.

1974, the Pennsylvania Crime Commission's "Report On Police Corruption And The Quality Of Law Enforcement In Philadelphia" concluded "The commission found that police corruption in Philadelphia is ongoing, widespread, systematic, and occurring at all levels of the police department. Corrupt practices were uncovered during the investigation in every police district and involved police officers ranging in rank from policeman to inspector. Specific acts of corruption involving improper cash payments to the police by gamblers, racketeers, bar owners, businessmen, nightclub owners, after-hours club owners, prostitutes, and others are detailed in the report. More than 400 individual police officers are identified by first name, last initial, and badge or payroll number as receiving improper payments in terms of cash, merchandise, sexual services, or meals."

1979, the department reached its peak size at approximately 8,500 officers.

1985, a PPD helicopter bombed the MOVE compound, killing eleven residents of the house (five of them children) and burning about 65 nearby houses. This was the only time an American police department had used bombs on suspects until July 7, 2016, when the Dallas Police Department ended a standoff by using a ground-based robot to detonate C-4 on a suspect during the 2016 shooting of Dallas police officers.

2012: the PPD's education and/or experience requirements were increased to include at least one of four new options, including 60 college credits.

Notable investigations

1981, PPD officer Daniel Faulkner was fatally shot by Mumia Abu-Jamal (né Wesley Cook) while performing a routine traffic stop of the latter's brother, William Cook. A jury convicted Abu-Jamal, a former Black Panther Party member, of first degree murder. He was sentenced to death in 1982, but in 2011 prosecutors said they would drop their pursuit of his execution and agreed to accept de facto life imprisonment without parole. The incident, subsequent trial and Abu-Jamal's conviction remain controversial in the US and around the world.

1999, serial killer Gary Heidnik was executed by lethal injection. Heidnik kidnapped, tortured and raped six women and kept them prisoner in his Philadelphia basement. A jury convicted Heidnik of the first degree murders of two of the women and sentenced him to death.

2001, American Ira Samuel Einhorn, a.k.a. "The Unicorn Killer" (born May 15, 1940), was extradited from France back to Philadelphia to stand trial for the 1977 murder of Holly Maddux. Einhorn was an outspoken activist in the 1960s and '70s. In 1981, Einhorn fled to Europe to avoid the trial. In 1993, Einhorn had a trial in absentia and was convicted of first degree murder. In 2002, he was retried and again convicted. Einhorn was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

2012, Antonio Rodriguez, a.k.a. "The Kensington Strangler", received three life sentences for murdering three drug-addicted prostitutes in 2010. The PPD convinced Rodriguez to confess after arresting him.

2013, a federal jury convicted drug lord Kaboni Savage and his sister, Kidada, of orchestrating the 2004 firebomb murders of a witness's six family members and of conspiring to participate in a violent drug enterprise. The jury convicted Kaboni of 12 murders in total and he was later sentenced to death.

Officers who died on duty

Over 260 Philadelphia Police Department officers have died on duty.

In popular culture

Fictitious PPD officers are featured in the Badge of Honor novels written by W. E. B. Griffin.

In the 1967 mystery film In the Heat of the Night, protagonist Virgil Tibbs (played by Sidney Poitier) is a fictitious PPD homicide detective.

The 1981 political thriller, crime drama, Blow Out, starring John Travolta and Nancy Allen.

The 1982 crime drama Fighting Back.

The 1985 thriller Witness features Harrison Ford as a fictitious PPD detective who is hunted by corrupt members his department.

The 1990 film Downtown features Anthony Edwards as a Bryn Mawr police officer transferred to the PPD where he works alongside Forest Whitaker.

The 1999 Fox series Ryan Caulfield: Year One was intended to revolve around the first year of a new Philadelphia police officer on a tough inner-city beat, but was one of the first cancellations of the 1999-2000 television series after only two episodes.

The 2000 television police drama The Thin Blue Lie, based on Jonathan Neumann's Pulitzer Prize winning reports on corruption during the 1970s.

The 2003 CBS series Cold Case involves fictitious detectives of the PPD.

The PPD is featured in the 2008 BBC documentary Law and Disorder in Philadelphia, presented by Louis Theroux.

The PPD is featured in the 2013 documentary Let the Fire Burn, which depicts the 1985 standoff between the PPD and the radical group MOVE.

Mike Ehrmantraut in Breaking Bad used to work for the PPD, and according to Hank Schrader, his tenure is said to have ended under dramatic circumstances. The spinoff Better Call Saul establishes that Mike's late son Matt was also a PPD cop until he was killed in the line of duty for planning to snitch on a corrupt partner.

The 2014 ABC series How to Get Away with Murder features a fictionalized PPD representation, along with Billy Brown playing on-and-off PPD detective Nate Lahey.