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. Changing the legal mechanisms, internal police structure, and external efforts to oversee police is essential for successful reform measures in Philadelphia and across America.
Ife Williams is professor of political science and African American history at Delaware County Community College.
Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter One: The Philadelphia Negro Chapter Two: Rizzo in The Hood: Struggle & More Strife Chapter Three: Battling Brutality Chapter Four: Move Chapter Five: Policing the Philadelphia Police Chapter Six: Mumia Abu-Jamal Chapter Seven: Policing Race & The Law: Redress & Reform? Bibliography About the Author
An overwhelming majority of books that tackle the issue of police brutality tend to apply a broad stroke to the issue by looking at national data and the impact generally across the US. Though such widespread examinations are important, the decision to dissect the festering issue of police brutality in the City of Brotherly Love is both timely and necessary. Williams does more than chronicle historical events, but instead masterfully unveils the building blocks of institutionalized racism in the city: the far reach of state-sanctioned violence; and, the failure of democratic institutions, all the way up to the Supreme Court. Ending with contemporary policy issues, the author easily widens the relevance of this book for activists, policymakers and everyday citizens. She provides expert insight into one of the most dreadful stains of America's past and present, which prevents the society from reaching its full potential. -- Michael O. Adams, Texas Southern University Ife Williams has studied tensions between civilian police and African American communities for decades. Her Police Brutality: A Philadelphia Story, is a serious examination of the ways in which these relationships evolved from the city's earliest days into the 21st century. Scholars, public officials and community leaders will want to include this new source in their libraries for Williams' depth and insight. -- Dianne Pinderhughes, University of Notre Dame
