Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Police DepartmentPhiladelphia, commonly known as the city of “Brotherly Love”, is having its share of problems. When one of the city’s own police officers, Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, was fatally gunned down recently, the city was reeling from bullets of destruction that caused the death of another law enforcement officer. Colleagues of the slain sergeant were greatly impacted by the violence inflicted on one of their own. Their determination to locate and bring the culprits to justice was pulsing in the forefront of their thoughts and actions invigorated by the unrelenting effects of grief embracing the entire Philadelphia Police Department.
When officers thought they had located the suspects of this terrible crime during a traffic stop, the situation got out of hand. A video tape shows a number of officers and a sergeant apparently kicking and punching the three suspects. All involved were suspended, and an investigation began. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter vociferously condemned the actions.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner, Charles H. Ramsey, is burdened with a difficult job surrounding all these circumstances, but there could be no leader more adept to handle them than Ramsey. Though he recognized that officers were on edge as a result of Sgt. Liczbinski’s murder, he also acknowledged that they still needed to maintain a high degree of conduct and in no way condoned the behavior. He was also keenly aware of the impact Sgt. Liczbinski’s death was having on the entire force.
With the multitude of circumstances and events that occurred, Ramsey has to maintain his authority and hold to the boundaries of the policies and procedures that embrace the department’s mission yet balance it all with empathy and support for those in his midst who struggle with a loss that has penetrated the core emotions of his officers. His role is, by no means, an easy one yet his four decades of experience in the law enforcement arena have proven that he can handle it appropriately within the scope of his authority.
Though the prevailing circumstances in Philadelphia are disturbing and problematic in many ways, the city is fortunate to have the former Washington D. C. Metropolitan Police Chief at the helm as police commissioner. Following receipt of the findings of the investigation, Ramsey did what he felt was necessary in light of the information received, and he fired four police officers involved in this incident. Though some applaud him for his actions and others stringently criticize him, Ramsey, as a public servant and leader of the police department, understands his role is not one that involves a popularity contest. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the death of one of his officers, he continues to lead the department in efforts to maintain their professionalism while they struggle to regain their emotional equilibrium.
