The practice of making a Police Administrator a political appointment has proven to hinder the operation and function of policing in urban cities. Nothing shows this more than the recent incident in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at a Starbucks retail outlet. Since the Administrator serves at the pleasure of the political body, he or she must accede to the political whims of the political entity.
The incident which has made international news and resulted in protests resulted from a 9-1-1 call made by a manager who wanted two African-American males who refused to make a purchase and demanded to use the restroom.
The officers apparently asked the two men to leave the premise and when they refused arrested them for Criminal Trespassing. The Police Commission went on television supporting the actions of the officers based upon the facts under which their action was taken.
One week later, the same Police Commissioner apologized for the action of the officers telling the public that they acted inappropriately.
The facts of the event have not changed, so the “walk-back” does not appear to have ant foundation. The Commissioner was likely forced to throw the officers “under the bus” to appease a segment of the community who were being vocal in their call that the incident was racially motivated.
No disciplinary has yet been taken against any of the involved officers, but the potential of such action is definitely on the table.
The officers acted upon a complaint from a business and were well within the law effecting the arrest when the two men refused to leave. There was more than ample probable cause in the case. The fact that no charges were ultimately filed does not negate the probable cause that a crime had been committed.
Law enforcement is supposed to be A-Political, but when an incident reaches the media, the Police Administration succumbs to the pressure of keeping their jobs, thereby making their position untenable.