Philadelphia’s Police Commissioner Announces He Is Retiring

PHILADELPHIA— Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, who emerged as a national leader on community policing amid tensions between officers and those they protect, announced Wednesday he will retire after a 47-year law enforcement career that also includ...
Philadelphia’s Police Commissioner Announces He Is Retiring
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey (C) and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter (L) leave a news conference, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, at City Hall in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The Associated Press
10/14/2015
Updated:
10/14/2015

PHILADELPHIA— Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, who emerged as a national leader on community policing amid tensions between officers and those they protect, announced Wednesday he will retire after a 47-year law enforcement career that also included stints in his native Chicago and Washington.

Ramsey’s exit coincides with the end of term-limited Mayor Michael Nutter’s eight-year tenure. Nutter, then newly elected, lured Ramsey from retirement after an at-times tumultuous nine-year run as the police chief Washington, D.C.

“I came out of retirement to come to Philadelphia and work for him, and I’m honored to be able to leave with him as well,” Ramsey said. “A leader is only as good as the people working for him, and we have an outstanding group of individuals in the department.”

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey speaks during a news conference Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, at City Hall in Philadelphia. Ramsey announced his retirement at the news conference as the administration that brought him to the city comes to an end. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey speaks during a news conference Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, at City Hall in Philadelphia. Ramsey announced his retirement at the news conference as the administration that brought him to the city comes to an end. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Ramsey indicated Wednesday that this retirement could also be temporary, hinting at a move to the national level.

“I’m not tired. I’m not burnt out. I’m actually in my prime,” Ramsey said.

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“Thank you for coming to Philadelphia and thank you for making my city a safer city,” Nutter said.

Ramsey has been criticized for the department’s use of stop and frisk— a tactic Kenney wants ended.

Ramsey said he only supports lawful stops called Terry stops, named after a 1968 Supreme Court ruling upholding an officer’s right to pat down a person suspected of criminal activity. There is no department policy encouraging stop and frisk, he said.

Ramsey joined the Chicago Police Department as an 18-year-old recruit in 1968. He rose through the ranks to become Chicago’s deputy superintendent of police.

Ramsey had been tasked with hiring more black officers in Philadelphia where 44 percent of residents are black.

The reviews were mixed.

This summer, the Philadelphia Daily News reported that more than 1,200 officers had been hired under Ramsey, nearly two-thirds of them white. Black officers accounted for 248 of the new hires, with about 15 percent being Hispanic, Asian or other races.

Ramsey said finding qualified black candidates had become increasingly difficult because of a requirement that recruits have 60 college credit hours.