Mayor aims to reform Phila. P.D.

The Associated Press Under the proposal, modeled after policy at the New York City police department, Rendell would appoint all Philadelphia police officers above captain rank, about 160. Currently, Rendell appoints only the police commissioner. The commissioner is entitled to appoint two deputies, but in practice the mayor often makes those appointments as well. Rendell said Tuesday he hopes to poll voters in May. The last time a change was considered in the 1951 charter was 1993, when voters rejected a proposal to appoint seven police deputies instead of the current two. The Fraternal Order of Police criticized Rendell's proposal, saying the change would replace trained officers with "uniformed ward leaders," said union Lodge 5 President Rich Costello. The proposal is "the most flagrant attempt to corrupt an entire police department that I've heard of," Costello said. Rendell's proposal is part of the mayor's efforts to reform the troubled Philadelphia police force, still reeling from a corruption scandal that erupted more than two years ago. Twelve officers have been charged with lying or planting evidence to frame defendants. The city has paid out more than $3.5 million in the past year to settle civil lawsuits. The mayor is expected to seek an independent review of the police department by former New York Police Commissioner William Bratton, who is credited with making dramatic reductions in that city's crime rate. During a speech last week in Philadelphia, Bratton emphasized the importance of strong political leadership and tough accountability.