Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw resigns, months before end of mayor’s second term

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw will step down this month to take a management place with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the mayor mentioned Tuesday.

Outlaw, the primary Black lady to run the 6,000-member police division, got here to Philadelphia from Portland, Oregon, the place her dealing with of protests had raised considerations.

She leaves after a bumpy 3 years at the process that started simply before the pandemic lockdowns and was once briefly adopted through intense protests that broke out in Philadelphia and around the nation in the summertime of 2020 over the police killing of Black other folks.

Outlaw’s resignation comes only a few months before the end of Mayor Jim Kenney’s tenure, and as crime charges together with homicides and gun-related crimes have turn out to be a significant factor within the race for who will exchange him. While campaigning, Democratic candidate Cherelle Parker has skirted questions over her plans for management on the police division.

Over the previous few years, Philadelphia has observed a pointy build up in homicides, atmosphere a modern day file in 2021 with 562 homicides that 12 months. Homicides declined rather in 2022 and advocates have mentioned they’re on course to lower additional this 12 months. But even supposing Philadelphia was once infrequently by myself amongst U.S. towns in experiencing a upward thrust in homicides over that point, it has had a difficult time combatting a Republican narrative of being a Democratic town with a innovative district legal professional this is overrun with violence and risk.

At the port authority, Outlaw would be the deputy leader safety officer.

Outlaw, whose ultimate day as commissioner is Sept. 22, leaves months before Kenney’s two phrases as mayor come to an end. The mayor has named First Deputy John M. Stanford Jr. as meantime police commissioner.

“Commissioner Outlaw has worked relentlessly for three and a half years during an unprecedented era in our city and a number of crisis situations, and she deserves praise for her commitment to bring long-overdue reform to the Department after years of racism and gender discrimination prior to her appointment,” Kenney mentioned. “We wish her success in her new position and thank Commissioner Outlaw for her dedication to serve the residents of Philadelphia.”