Danielle Outlaw resigns as Philadelphia Police Commissioner
Danielle Outlaw has resigned as the police commissioner, the city announced Tuesday.
Outlaw leaves his top job at the Philadelphia Police Department and takes a new job at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as Deputy Chief Security Officer. Your last day will be Friday September 22nd. Thereafter, First Deputy John Stanford will take over as interim police commissioner.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve during Mayor Kenney’s tenure and alongside every member of the Philadelphia Police Department,” Outlaw said in one opinion. “The hard work, resilience and professionalism of our squad is truly commendable. Our team has demonstrated incredible adaptability, working tirelessly to uphold our pillars of organizational excellence, crime prevention and reduction, and community engagement and inclusion even in the face of adversity.” The teamwork, innovative thinking and determination of my employees have pushed the department forward, and I am extremely grateful for that.”
outlaw was Philadelphia’s Police Commissioner since February 10, 2020. She was the first black woman to lead the PPD, as well as the first black woman to lead the Portland, Oregon Police Department. You will leave a few months earlier a new mayor is elected.
She has overseen the Philly Police Department through some turbulent years, including the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and a gun violence crisis that resulted in 562 homicides in 2021, the most in a year in the city’s history. That number dropped to 516 and 292 last year so far in 2023.
Her department, too, has faced heavy criticism for its handling of the 2020 protests following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Philadelphia police sprayed tear gas on protesters along I-676, rolled into West Philadelphia in armored vehicles, and fired rubber bullets at crowds. Some of those protesters filed a class-action lawsuit against the city over the police response, securing a $9.25 million settlement earlier in the year.
Outlaw and the PPD are currently under fire for spreading a false narrative about police shooting at Eddie Irizarry, who was killed in his parked car in Kensington on August 14. Police initially claimed that the shooting took place outside the vehicle and that Irizarry “broke out” on Officer Mark Dial and his partner, who could not be identified, with a knifeSurveillance video from a nearby house and An internal review of the body-worn camera footage later revealed that Irizarry never left his car and did not lunge at officers.
“We have nothing to hide here,” Outlaw said at an Aug. 23 news conference. “We make mistakes. Unfortunately, the information that was released had some pretty dire consequences.”
Outlaw suspended Dial with intent to fire after failing to cooperate with internal investigation. Body worn camera footage of the shooting is expected to be released next week.
Outlaw took over the PPD after her predecessor, Richard Ross, resigned in 2019 amid allegations of sexual harassment and racial and gender discrimination within the department. While Ross has not been accused of harassment or discrimination, a lawsuit alleges that he did nothing to prevent it. He also allegedly had an affair with one of the plaintiffs in that lawsuit.
“Commissioner Outlaw has worked tirelessly for three and a half years during an unprecedented time in our city and a number of crisis situations, and she deserves praise for her commitment to bringing about long-overdue reform after years of racism and gender discrimination in the department.” to her appointment,” Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement. “We wish her every success in her new position and thank Commissioner Outlaw for her dedication to serving the people of Philadelphia.”
Outlaws temporary successor, Stanfordjoined the Philadelphia Police Department in 2002. He previously held senior positions in Internal Affairs and Public Affairs.
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