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U.S. NEWS Wednesday 21 august 2019

Philly police head resigns after mayor reads bias lawsuit

By MARK SCOLFORO The lawsuit alleges discrimi-
Associated Press nation, a hostile work en-
Philadelphia’s police com- vironment, retaliation and
missioner resigned Tues- other counts.
day amid allegations that It says the women “have
members of his department suffered continuous and
engaged in sexual harass- ongoing sexual harass-
ment and racial and gen- ment and discrimination
der discrimination against by both co-workers and su-
two women serving in the pervisors,” including grop-
ranks. ing, sexual comments and
Mayor Jim Kenney said in sexual advances, and that
a news release he was dis- they faced retaliation for
appointed to lose Commis- complaining about it.
sioner Richard Ross Jr., but The lawsuit, in which Ross
in light of the new allega- and the city are among the
tions, he said Ross’ “resig- defendants, was filed by a
nation is in the best interest corporal and an officer,
of the department.” one black, the other black
Kenney spokeswoman Hispanic.
Deana Gamble said Ross It claimed Ross had had a
offered his resignation af- two-year relationship with
ter Kenney learned details one of the women, an af-
of the allegations by the fair that ended in 2011.
women, including one who The women’s civil lawyer, In this Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019 photo, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross, right, speaks
says she once had an affair Ian Bryson, said they had during a news conference as Mayor Jim Kenney looks on at City Hall in Philadelphia.
with Ross. not expected Ross to re- Associated Press
The corporal and patrol of- sign. mented a year ago. “While nal investigation is currently Ross “a shining example
ficer made the allegations “If that’s what it takes to rolling out a new policy un- underway. The city police that hard work and dedi-
against several depart- shed light on this issue, then derstandably takes time, I have had a checkered re- cation can lead you to the
ment employees. we see it as a win for work- do not believe the Police lationship with the people top of your profession” and
Gamble said Ross knew ing people,” Bryson said. Department has taken the they serve, and this summer said he served with honor
about the alleged harass- The lawsuit said when one necessary actions to ad- about 100 people protest- and respect.
ment and failed to respond of the women told Ross she dress the underlying cultural ed outside police head- Just last week, Kenney
adequately. had been subjected to sex- issues that too often nega- quarters, demanding ac- called Ross the best po-
An amended version of the ual harassment and a hos- tively impact women — es- tion in response to reports lice commissioner in Amer-
women’s federal lawsuit tile work environment, he pecially women of color,” some officers had made ica after a gunman’s long
was filed Monday. responded brusquely. Kenney said in a statement. racist and violent social- standoff with police.
“The mayor wanted to fig- “Commissioner Ross de- The mayor said an unspeci- media posts. But during that standoff,
ure out what occurred,” clined to act on her report, fied independent entity will Ross said the day he took hostility between residents
Gamble said. “After he and instead suggested, ‘So investigate the recent al- the job that it was a “chal- and police was evident, as
read the complaint, the why don’t you just order his legations and recommend lenging time for law en- residents harassed officers
mayor decided to accept dumb ass to go sit down how to address discrimina- forcement” and acknowl- trying to keep peace at the
his resignation.” and get out of your face of- tion and harassment within edged the department scene.
Ross, who is black, joined ficer,’” the lawsuit alleged. the police agency. had “some issues.” Kenney named Deputy
the department in 1989 Kenney noted a sexual ha- Asked if the city has taken “We have to confront them Commissioner Christine
and had served as commis- rassment prevention policy any personnel action re- and we have to be bold Coulter to serve as act-
sioner since January 2016. and efforts to prevent work- lated to the lawsuit and about it,” Ross said in 2016. ing commissioner dur-
He did not respond to mes- place discrimination and Ross’ departure, Gamble John McNesby, president ing a search for Ross’
sages seeking comment. harassment were imple- responded that an inter- of the police union, called replacement.q