Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross Resigns

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross Jr. has resigned after 30 years with the department amid allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination in the department, according to Mayor Jim Kenney's office.

Ross's resignation is effected Tuesday, Aug. 20.

According to a statement from the mayor's office, new allegations of sexual harassment as well as gender and racial discrimination among the Philadelphia Police Department's rank and file have come out.

"Today, Commissioner Ross tendered his resignation," Kenney said. "I am disappointed, because he’s been a terrific asset to the Police Department and the City as a whole. While those allegations do not accuse Commissioner Ross of harassment, I do ultimately believe his resignation is in the best interest of the Department."

According to the mayor's statement, new policies set to prevent workplace discrimination and harassment throughout the government were not addressed adequately by the department.

"While rolling out a new policy understandably takes time, I do not believe the Police Department has taken the necessary actions to address the underlying cultural issues that too often negatively impact women—especially women of color," Kenney's statement said. "I will be enlisting the help of an independent firm to investigate the recent allegations and to make recommendations to overcome some of the discrimination and harassment within the Department."

With Ross out as commissioner, Kenney named Philadelphia Police Department Deputy Commissioner Christine M. Coulter as Acting-Commissioner while officials search for Ross’ replacement.

Ross started with the Philadelphia Police Department in 1989 and was appointed Police Commissioner in January 2016. He served in a number of roles, working in Patrol, Special Operations, Detective Bureau, Homicide, and Internal Affairs.

“I am grateful for Commissioner Ross’ many years of dedicated service to our City, and the many reforms he brought to the Department," Kenney's statement said. "However, I believe new leadership will help us continue to reform the Department and show that racial, ethnic, and gender discrimination simply will not be tolerated."

Coulter holds a Master of Science in Public Safety Management from Saint Joseph’s University, a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management from Eastern University, and an Associate degree in Criminal Justice from the Community College of Philadelphia. She is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.

Additionally, Coulter is a three-star Deputy in the Philadelphia Police Department and most recently served as Deputy Commissioner of Organizational Services.

"Deputy Coulter is an experienced police commander with nearly 30 years of law enforcement service," said Mayor Kenney. "She has diverse experience in patrol operations, narcotics intelligence, and investigations. I have full faith in her ability to lead the Department during this time of transition."

She is a faculty member in the graduate program of Public Safety at Saint Joseph’s University’s Institute of Criminal Justice and Public Safety Administration. In this post she teaches classes such as Sociology of Disaster, Risk Assessment, and Disaster Planning.