9.6.17: Philadelphia – (Politics): Six African-American employees of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Narcotics division, including the unit’s highest ranking Black female inspector and a Lieutenant, have come forward with allegations that they were solicited by their superiors to engage in corruption.
At a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the North Philadelphia headquarters of the Guardian Civic League, which is the local chapter of the National Black Police Association, civil-rights attorney Mr. Brian Mildenberg said at least two of the six complainants have filed official paperwork with the City’s Human Relations Commission. The police commissioner, a black man who’s a member of the Guardian Civic League, has not yet addressed these very new allegations, nor has a conversation been had about protection for the whistle-blowers, said Mr. Mildenberg.
Ms. Rochelle Bilal, President of Guardian Civic League, said the six PPD employees, including Staff Inspector Debra Frazier, were encouraged to violate laws and police directives – like falsifying documents and misrepresenting the source of found drugs – but because they said no, they’re now being retaliated against in the form of not receiving overtime or assignments. According to both Mr. Mildenberg and Ms. Bilal, more aggrieved officers exists, but they’re afraid to come forward.
Chief Anthony Boyle and Inspector Ray Evers are the authority figures who lead the Narcotics division. Mr. Mildenberg said the solicitations to engage in corruption began when the two men assumed leadership of the unit a year or so ago. When asked if both men should be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the current investigation by Internal Affairs, Mr. Mildenberg said yes, noting that it’s a “fair request.” Ms. Bilal echoed that sentiment, saying both officials should be removed today.
“We want a full and complete investigation of these complaints,” said Mr. Mildenberg, who mentioned that the District Attorney’s office has yet to begin an investigation.
At the Narcotics division in question, Ms. Bilal asserted that there was a Police Corporal who had on his personal vehicle a confederate flag insignia. Though the police department has since ruled that the symbol must be removed, Ms. Bilal contends the controversy was, and is, indicative of the broader problem of racism and improper conduct at the Narcotics division. What exist in the unit today is a “crisis of racial discrimination,” said Ms. Bilal.
The six complainants allege that commanding officers have used the word “scum” to describe those who reside in minority communities of the East Division. Additionally, they allege that the killing of civilians is referred to as “thinning the herd.”
Mr. Mildenberg said more complaints and legal paperwork will be filed, as needed, in the coming weeks.
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