Philadelphia's New Police Commissioner Begins Shift

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia's new police commissioner is officially on the job.

Danielle Outlaw, 43, started her new job as the Philadelphia Police Commissioner Monday, taking over for acting commissioner Christine Coulter, who filled in after Richard Ross resigned amid controversy and scandals in the police department.

Outlaw previously served as the chief of police in Portland, Oregon from 2017 to last 2019.

She started her career in law enforcement about 20 years ago in Oakland, California.

She presented a TED Talk on police and community relations back in 2018, highlighting issues and possible solutions to strained relations.

Outlaw earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University. She has frequently spoken nationally on issues related to policing, justice, and community relations. Outlaw is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute of Police, the Major Cities Chiefs' Association Police Executive Leadership Institute, and the FBI National Executive Institute. She is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Human and Civil Rights Committee, and is also an active member of the National Organization of Black Law Executives.

Outlaw is taking over the Philadelphia Police Department after a series of scandals in recent years involving rank and file members of the force and former commissioner Ross.

The city launched a public survey — which garnered 4,000 respondents — to glean what the community saw as important issues regarding policing in the city as officials searched for someone to lead the department.

While Kenney said she will of course tackle violent crime and homicides in the city as rate of violent incidents increase, she will take on issues such as sexism and racism that impacted the department recently.

"With our support, she will tackle a host of difficult issues, from racism and gender discrimination, to horrid instances of sexual assault on fellow officers," Kenney said. "These are issues that too often negatively impact women — especially women of color — within the Department. Commissioner Outlaw will implement reforms with urgency, so that racial, ethnic, and gender discrimination are not tolerated."

Outlaw said she plans to work on reestablishing trust with Philadelphia's citizens.

"Modern policing is data-driven, but the paramount factor is not so easily quantified: trust — the trust residents have that their police force will keep them safe and treat them with respect," she said I am convinced that trust can be restored, here and across the nation. I am convinced community-police relations can be rebuilt and fortified through dialogue, transparency, and accountability."

Philadelphia Police Advisory Commission welcomed Outlaw and said she is joining the department at an important moment in its history.

"Commissioner Outlaw is taking command of the Police Department at a crucial time," the commission said in a statement. "We believe she has the will and the vision to bring needed change to the department and we look forward to supporting her as she establishes priorities and works to understand the needs of the residents of the city."

"I would like to publicly thank Interim Commissioner Christine Coulter for her unwavering leadership over the past four months," Kenney said. "She stepped in during a difficult time and lead the force with grace, professionalism, and expertise. I appreciate that she is committed to a smooth transition."

See more coverage on the Philadelphia Police commissioner resignation and accusations below:

• Portland Police Chief Named New Philadelphia Police Commissioner
• City Launches Public Survey As Part Of Police Commissioner Search
• Acting Police Commissioner Under Fire For Rodney King T-Shirt
• Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross Resigns
• Lawsuit Claims Commissioner Ross, PPD Leaders Ignored Harassment