Police Brutality : A Philadelphia Story

Using Philadelphia as a case study, this book analyzes the evolution of predatory policing, attempts to curb aggressive practices, and the resultant chasm between reform efforts and the expansion of police discretion.

Using Philadelphia as a case study, this book examines numerous themes within policing, such as historical-cultural sentiment, the role of city officials in the exacerbation of abuse, federal litigation, and civil activism aimed at curbing police violence. While Philadelphia was one of the first cities to implement reforms spearheaded by the African American community, the Philadelphia police department (PPD) has successfully eluded every attempt at reform, largely by fortifying and insulating themselves from any form of oversight. The PPD has evolved into a politically autonomous entity; the city has subsequently relinquished control, evidenced in police immunity from court decrees, mayoral edicts, litigation, community outcry, and internal discipline. An analysis of the legal mechanisms, internal police structure, and external efforts to oversee police is essential for successful reform measures in Philadelphia and across America.