Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw Resigning

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia's top cop is leaving the city.

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw is resigning her role as the city's police leader to become a deputy security chief at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the city announced Tuesday.

The 48-year-old California native's last day as Philadelphia Police Commissioner will be Sept. 22.

In her place as interim commissioner will be First Deputy John M. Stanford Jr., who was appointed by Mayor Jim Kenney.

Outlaw joined the city in February 2020 after serving as the leader of the Portland, Oregon Police Department.

"It has been my honor and privilege to serve during Mayor Kenney’s administration and alongside each member of the Philadelphia Police Department," Outlaw said. "The hard work, resilience, and professionalism of our force is truly commendable. Our team has shown incredible adaptability and has worked tirelessly to maintain our pillars of organizational excellence, crime prevention and reduction, and community engagement and inclusion even in the face of adversity. My staff’s teamwork, innovative thinking, and determination have kept the Department moving forward, and for that, I am extremely grateful."

The announcement comes on the heels of a deadly incident in which Philadelphia Police Officer Mark Dial shot and killed Eddie Irizarry, who was sitting in a vehicle when he was shot and killed.

Initial reports from police stated Irizarry was out of the vehicle and lunged at officers with a knife, but subsequently released video proved the initial report was false.

Outlaw said Dial was suspended with the intent to be fired after the 30-day suspension.

"Throughout my tenure, I have persistently strived to ensure that we excel in areas where the needs of the Department and the community are not just met - but are exceeded," she said. "To meet specific goals, the Crime Prevention and Violence Reduction Action Plan was developed and shared with the public within the first three months after I was appointed, even as the pandemic was escalating into crisis mode. I am extremely proud of the PPD team. We have made significant progress in all three of the Plan’s organizational pillars - Organizational Excellence, Crime Prevention and Violence Reduction, and Community Engagement and Inclusion. Under this plan, we have seen crime reductions, improved clearance rates, a reduction in complaints against police, new employee and wellness initiatives; to include the development of an employee intervention system, improved diversity in hiring and promotions, better internal and external communications, and so much more. I know progress will continue under this plan since it’s working."