Philly Residents Sought For Citizen Police Oversight Commission

PHILADELPHIA — Applications for residents who want to help shape the Philadelphia Police Department are being accepted now for the Citizen Police Oversight Commission.

City officials Wednesday issued an application for residents to become a commissioner and help improve police conduct, enhance the quality of internal investigations, and increase communication and engagement between the community and the Philadelphia Police Department.

To be considered, applicants must be Philadelphia residents, cannot be a current sworn officer of the department within the five years prior to the appointment, cannot be a current member of a union that represents a municipal or state police department within the five years prior to the appointment, and must not shall live in the same section of the city as another commissioner.

Apply on here.

The selection process will be led by a Selection Panel composed of three appointees from City Council and two appointees from the Kenney Administration.

The Selection Panel appointees are:

• Pastor Carl Day, Culture Changing Christians (Mayoral Appointment), is the Pastor at Culture Changing Christians Worship Center and the President and Founder of the outreach nonprofit, Culture Changing Christians.
• Vanessa Garrett Harley, Managing Director’s Office (Mayoral Appointment), is the First Deputy Managing Director at the City of Philadelphia, and former Deputy Managing Director for Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
• Anjelica Hendricks, Esq., Former Police Advisory Commission staff (Council Appointment),is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, and former Senior Policy Analyst for the Police Advisory Commission.
• Pastor Mark Tyler, Mother Bethel/POWER (Council Appointment), is the Pastor at Mother Bethel AME Church and Co-Director of POWER Live Free Campaign.
• Samantha J. Williams, Esq., Office of Councilmember Curtis Jones (Council Appointment), is the Director of Legislation and Policy for Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr., and a former Assistant District Attorney for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

The application now through Friday, Nov. 5, with applications being considered on a rolling basis starting Friday, Oct 15.

City Council will vote to confirm the slate of candidates nominated by the Selection Panel.

"Serving on the Citizens Police Oversight Commission is a terrific opportunity to give back to our city," Mayor Jim Kenney said. "This new Commission will increase police accountability and bolster the relationship with the department and community it serves — both of which are key to improving public safety and creating a stronger city for us all."

"The Civilian Police Oversight Commission is an important reform, conceived by City Council and approved by the people of Philadelphia," City Council President Darrell L. Clarke said. "It’s equally important that the board of the new commission encompass a diverse range of voices and residents who reflect Philadelphia’s many, varied neighborhoods. We’re enthused that the process is underway thanks to Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr.’s leadership."

"Trusting the process is essential to the justice system. There is one set of rules for all," Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. said. "The new Commission has received input locally and nationally and the Selection Panel that we have appointed will propose a slate of Commissioners that will meet the needs for all members of Philadelphia."