PHILADELPHIA – Today, the Kenney Administration and City Council announced a critical new step in the process to expand accountability and transparency of the Philadelphia Police Department and its officers by issuing an application for individuals to apply to become a commissioner of the Citizen Police Oversight Commission.
Commissioners will support the new Citizen Police Oversight Commission in its work to improve police conduct, enhance the quality of internal investigations, and increase communication and engagement between the community and the Philadelphia Police Department.
“Serving on the Citizens Police Oversight Commission is a terrific opportunity to give back to our city,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “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,” said City Council President Darrell L. Clarke. “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,” said Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. “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.”
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)
- Vanessa Garrett Harley, Managing Director’s Office (Mayoral Appointment)
- Anjelica Hendricks, Esq., Former Police Advisory Commission staff (Council Appointment)
- Pastor Mark Tyler, Mother Bethel/POWER (Council Appointment)
- Samantha J. Williams, Esq., Office of Councilmember Curtis Jones (Council Appointment)
About the Selection Panel
The Kenney Administration and City Council has identified a slate of civic and community leaders to shepherd the selection process for commissioners:
- Pastor Carl Day is the Pastor at Culture Changing Christians Worship Center and the President and Founder of the outreach nonprofit, Culture Changing Christians.
- Vanessa Garrett Harley 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. 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 is the Pastor at Mother Bethel AME Church and Co-Director of POWER Live Free Campaign.
- Samantha J. Williams, Esq. 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.
How to apply to be a Commissioner of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission
The application will be open beginning today, Wednesday, September 29. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 5, with applications being considered on a rolling basis starting Friday, October 15. City Council will vote to confirm the slate of candidates nominated by the Selection Panel.