Investigate Presence of White Supremecists in Philadephia Police Department

There have been credible reports that multiple terrorists showed their law enforcement badges as they attacked the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021. There is a well-documented presence of white supremacist ideology in police departments in the United States. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that at least one officer is being investigated by internal affairs as she was within the group that ultimately attacked the Capitol on January 6th. Any officer who harbors white supremacist ideology or supports overthrowing a democratically elected government is a danger to our city. We, as citizens of this city, have an obligation to each other to determine whether such terrorists are in the ranks of our law enforcement and expel them immediately. We have a heightened obligation to support and defend our neighbors who are targeted by these hate groups due to their race, religion or immigration status. None of us are naïve enough to think that this malignancy will disappear when Donald Trump’s term ends.

This Petition therefore respectfully requests that the Office of the Mayor of Philadelphia, Philadelphia City Council and the Office of the District Attorney of Philadelphia conduct a thorough investigation of the Philadelphia Police Department, including reviewing social media accounts and attendance at rallies for Donald Trump, in order to identify and expel any member of the police force that harbors white supremacist ideologies and/or poses a threat to our democracy by supporting insurrection against our federal and state governments.

Doing so will advance our public security and help to repair the fractured confidence that many of our neighbors have in the police department’s ability to equitably and safely carry out the important role it plays in our daily lives.