PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw is resigning three and a half years after stepping in to lead the city’s police department.
Outlaw, Philadelphia’s first black female police commissioner, will step down on September 22 to take on a new position as a deputy security chief at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, according to a statement from Mayor James Kenney.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve during Mayor Kenney’s administration and alongside each member of the Philadelphia Police Department,” Outlaw said. “The hard work, resilience, and professionalism of our force is truly commendable.
Her resignation comes as Philadelphia police continues to face criticism for the rise of deadly gun violence plaguing the streets of the city, and just months before Mayor Kenney is set to leave office.
“Commissioner Outlaw has worked relentlessly for three and a half years during an unprecedented era in our city and a number of crisis situations, and she deserves praise for her commitment to bring long-overdue reform to the Department after years of racism and gender discrimination prior to her appointment,” Kenney stated in a release.
The Mayor has appointed Outlaw’s First Deputy John M. Stanford, Jr. to interim Police Commissioner.
