Inre: NIZAHMORRIS Before: Commissioners JamesC.CrumlishIII,Esq. RondaB.Goldfein,Esq. CharlesF.VolzJr.,Esq.

March28,2013

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CityofPhiladelphia PoliceAdvisoryCommission ComplaintNo.31279

OPINION A. PREFACE Morethantenyearsago,NizahMorrissustainedafatalheadwoundwithinminutesofridingin aPhiladelphiapolicevehicle.Herhomicidehasnotbeensolved,andtheinvestigationintoherdeath includesconflictingtestimonybetweenpoliceofficers,betweenpoliceofficersandindependentwit nesses,andredacteddocuments.NizahMorriswasatranswomanandthemysteriouscircumstances ofherdeathhaveleftPhiladelphiasLGBTcommunityfearfulandmarginalized. ToreassureallofPhiladelphiascitizensoftheirrighttopoliceservice,respect,andsafety,we haveattemptedtothoughtfullyandpainstakinglyreviewthematterbeforeus.Tothatend,wehave reviewedtheextensivefilesofthePhiladelphiaPoliceDepartment(Police),thePhiladelphiaDistrict Attorney(D.A.),andthePhiladelphiaPoliceAdvisoryCommissionthatpreviouslyissuedanadvisory opinion. Wearecognizantthatweareneitheralawenforcementnorprosecutorialagencyandthatwe cannotcompeltheD.A.oreventhePolicetoreenergizetheireffortstobringaresolutiontothishomi cide.However,itisapparentfromourreviewthattheprogressofinvestigationstodateinthismatter hasbeenseriouslyimpairedbybothbureaucraticanddefensiveattitudesofmanyconcerned.Thishas compelledustoforwardthisopiniontothePennsylvaniaAttorneyGeneralandthefederalDepart mentofJusticeandaskbothagenciestolookintotheissuespresented. ThisOpinionisnecessarilycriticaloftheinvolvementbythePolice,theD.A,aswellasthePolice AdvisoryCommissionitselfintheNizahMorrisinvestigation.Itisimportanttonoteinthebodyofour Opinion,andnotinafootnote,thatalloftheseinstitutionshaveundergonesignificantelectoraland managementchangessinceNizahMorrisdeath.PhiladelphiahasanewPoliceCommissioner,Charles H.RamseyandDistrictAttorney,Hon.SethWilliams.ThePoliceAdvisoryCommissionhasundergonea completechangeofallcommissionersaswellasanewexecutivedirector.Therefore,althoughour criticalanalysisandopinionsapplyonaninstitutionallevel,thechangeinleadershiphasbeenpropi tious.
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B. PROCEDURALHISTORY ThismatterwaspreviouslybeforethePoliceAdvisoryCommissionthatrenderedanopinionin November2007(Opinion#1).TheoriginalcomplaintwasfiledbyRoslynWilkinsregardingpolice interactionwithheradultdaughter,NizahMorris,bothbeforeandaftershesufferedafatalheadinju ryonDecember22,2002.ThePoliceAdvisoryCommissionheardfromwitnessesoverthreenightsof testimonyandreviewedvariousdocumentsincludingpolicelogsandincidentreports,autopsyreports, 911transcripts,andstatementsreceivedfrompoliceofficersonthesceneatthetimeoftheincident. HighrankingpoliceofficersrepeatedlyassuredthePoliceAdvisoryCommissionthattheyhadsupplied theCommissionwithcopiesofeverythingconcerningtheNizahMorrisinvestigation. InMarchof2008,shortlyafterOpinion#1waspublished,aprivatecitizennotifiedthePolice AdvisoryCommissionthatthePolicehadinexplicablymisplaced/losttheentireinvestigative/homicide fileaftertheD.A.scompletionoftheNizahMorrisinvestigation. 1 Opinion#1wasalmostimmediately compromisedbythelackofcorroborativeinformationtheCommissionhadatitsdisposal.TheNizah MorrisinvestigationhadalsobeenrecognizedbythePoliceAdvisoryCommissionasanissueofcom munityconcerntoPhiladelphiasLGBT(Lesbian,Gay,BisexualandTransgender)community.Theap parentevasionbythePoliceandtheincompleteormislaidrecordscausedthatcommunitytobe evenmorejustifiablyskeptical.Basedontheforegoing,thePoliceAdvisoryCommissiondecidedto reopenthematter. ThePoliceAdvisoryCommissionreopeneditscaseandcontactedtheD.A.inMarch2008re questingrecordsoftheNizahMorrisinvestigation.InApril2008,theD.A. 2 providedcopiesofPolice documentstothePoliceAdvisoryCommission,butrefusedtoallowreviewofitsinternaldocuments, citingtheCriminalHistoryRecordHistoryInformationAct(hereinafterCHRIA),18Pa.C.S.9101 et seq.AfteranexchangeofcorrespondencewiththeD.A.,thePoliceAdvisoryCommissionissuedasub poenafortheD.A.sfile.Asaresultofnegotiationsbetweentheparties,theD.A.agreedtogivethe PoliceAdvisoryCommissionaccesstotheD.A.sfileandthetwopartiesenteredintoanondisclosure agreement.ThePoliceAdvisoryCommissionscounselandexecutivedirectorreviewedthefiles,but nofurtheractionwastaken. IntheSpringandFallof2010,thePoliceAdvisoryCommissionwasreconstitutedwithnew commissioners.TheissueoftheunresolvedNizahMorrisinvestigationwasbroughttothenewcom missionersattentions,whereuponitwasquicklydeterminedthatthePoliceAdvisoryCommission couldnoteffectivelyreportbacktothecommunityifboundbyanondisclosureagreementfromrefer encingrelevantdocuments.ThePoliceAdvisoryCommissionsoughtaccesstotheentireD.A.sfile fromthenewlyelectedD.A.,Hon.SethWilliams.Despitesomeinitialreluctance,theD.A.relentedand permittedtheCommissiontoreviewitsentirefile. 3

ThePoliceAdvisoryCommissionwasnotifiedbyspecialcounseltothePoliceCommissioneronJanuary24,2011thatthe NizahMorrishomicidefilewaslocatedintheArchivesUnit,afterbeingmissingforeight(8)years. 2 Hon.LynneAbrahamwasDistrictAttorneyin2008. 3 SethWilliamshadgivenassurancestotheLGBTcommunityduringthisDistrictAttorneycampaignthathewoulddivulge theentireMorrisinvestigativefile.See,LettertoEditor,writtenbySethWilliamsEsq.,Phila.GayNews,12/5/0812/11/08: Giventheknowndetailsofthisuntimelyloss,theinterestofcommissionmembersisunderstandable,justifiableandap propriate.TheydeservethefullesttransparencyandcooperationfromtheDistrictAttorneysoffice,iffornootherreason thantheyaretaxpayersandcitizens...

 ThisOpinionistheresultofthereviewoftherelevantdocumentsprovidedbytheD.A.The timelineoftheNizahMorrisinvestigationisattachedasExhibitA. C. FACTUALPREDICATES IntheearlymorninghoursofDecember22,2002,P/OElizabethSkalarespondedtoa911 emergencycallattheKeyWestBarandGrille,207S.JuniperStreet,Philadelphia.Alongwithseveral individuals,sheplacedanapparentlyinebriatedNizahMorrisintherearofherpatrolvehicleandpro videdaridetodropheroffat15thandWalnutStreets. 4 Withinminutes,NizahMorriswasfoundun consciousat16thandWalnutStreets.ItwaslaterdeterminedthatMs.Morrishadsustainedserious physicalinjuriestoherhead.EmergencymedicalpersonneltransportedhertoThomasJeffersonUni versityHospitalwhereshediedasaresultofthoseinjuriestwodayslater.Weincorporatebyrefer encetheextensiveSummaryofRelevantFactssetforthinOpinion#1. 5 FollowingitsinvestigationintoNizahMorrisdeath,theInternalAffairsDivisionofthePolice sustainedachargeagainstP/OSkalaforviolatingPoliceDirective#63(HospitalCases),stating:she (Skala)shouldhaveconsideredtheassignmentofthehospitalcaseasanemergencyandallowedmed icalprofessionalstoassessMs.Morriscondition.InternalAffairsalsofoundthatMs.Morriswasina semiconsciousstateasdefinedinPoliceDirective#128(IntoxicatedPersonsinPoliceCustody)which statesPersonsfoundinasemiconsciousorunconsciousconditionwillbetransportedtothenearest hospitalformedicalevaluation.InternalAffairsdidnotrecommendpunishmentbeyondaverbalrep rimand. D. AUTHORITYOFTHEPOLICEADVISORYCOMMISSION ThePoliceAdvisoryCommissionislimitedinitspowertomakerecommendationsbyExecutive Order893.Section4(a)states: TheCommissionshalladvisetheManagingDirectorandthePoliceCommis sioneronpoliciesandactionsofthePoliceDepartmentwiththepurpose ofimprovingtheabilityofpolicepersonneltocarryouttheirduties,andto improvetherelationshipbetweenthePoliceDepartmentandthecommunity. Section4(f)(2)furtherstates: TheCommissionshallhavethepowertorecommendthattheManagingDir ectorandPoliceCommissionertakecertainactions.TheCommissionmay

Opinion#1incorrectlystatedthatP/OSkalainformedpoliceradiothatshewasprovidingacourtesyride.P/OSkala calledthepolicedispatcherandsaid:Youcanresumerescue.ShesjustaDK.Imgonnadropheroffoverat15thand Walnut.Sheneverusedthetermcourtesyride.ItisimportanttonotethatP/OSkaladidnotobtainpermissionfroma supervisoroverpoliceradiopriortocancelingthemedicandgivingMorristheride.WhetherP/OSkalaevergotpermission fortherideitselfisanentirelydifferentmatter,asistheoccurrenceofadisputedcellphonecall.Bothwillbedealtwith subsequently. 5 Opinion#1madeafactualerroronpage3whenitreportedthatP/OSkalacalledCentralDetectivesandinformedthem ofthepossibleaggravatedassaultafterviewingNizahMorrisatJeffersonHospital.P/OSkalaadmittedinherinterview withtheD.A.thatP/OKennethNovakmadethecontact.ThisfurtherunderscorestheconcernthatthePoliceattemptedto hideanyreferencetoacourtesyride.ThereareseveralotherproblemswithOpinion#1,andthesewilladdressedsubse quently.

 recommendgeneralreforms(suchaschangesintraining,changesinthe preservationofrecords)...however,theManagingDirectorandthePolice Commissionershallretainfullandultimateauthority,power,discretion, managementprerogatives,andresponsibilitytosetdisciplinarypoliciesor takeotherlawfulactionstheydeemappropriaterelativetothePoliceDepart mentundertheprovisionsofthePhiladelphiaHomeRuleCharter.... Wearecognizantofthefocusednatureofourauthorityandpower,butthemagnitudeofthe mismanagementoftheNizahMorrishomicideisstaggering.Wecan,andare,issuingaseriesofrec ommendationshereintothePolice 6 asitisclearlywithinourjurisdictiontodoso.Wearealsocritical ofthePoliceAdvisoryCommissionsinvolvementinthismatterandwewillcategorizethechangesthat havebeenputinplacesothattheerrorsarenotrepeated. WewillbemakingarecommendationastorenewedinvestigationsoftheNizahMorrishomi cide.ThisisnotanexpressfunctionofthePoliceAdvisoryCommission,butitiswellwithintherights ofaninformedcitizenrytoseekredressfromalternatecriminaljusticeagenciesiftheneedarises.We findsuchaneedintheNizahMorrisinvestigation.Weareremindedbythewordsoftenattributedto AbrahamLincolnthatareactuallyfromatemperanceaddressoftheReverendJamesSmith,Abraham Lincoln'sfriendandministerattheFirstPresbyterianChurchinSpringfield,Illinois:Tosinbysilence whentheyshouldprotestmakescowardsofmen. E. POLICEADVISORYCOMMISSIONINVOLVEMENT ItwouldbeanunderstatementtosaythatthePoliceAdvisoryCommissionissuedOpinion#1 relyingonincompleterecords.WebelievethatthepresentlyconstitutedPoliceAdvisoryCommission hasnowbeengivenaccesstoamorecompleterecordoftheNizahMorrisinvestigation,butprudence dictatesthatwenotdeemitareviewofthecompleterecordasthePolicefilewaslostforeight[8] years.Oncethefilewasfoundinthearchives,thePoliceAdvisoryCommissioncommencedalongand involvednegotiationwiththeD.A.officebeforewewerepermittedtoreviewitsfile.Citizeninvolve menthasuncoveredmanytroublingdiscrepanciesintherecords. 7 Wehavenowayofascertaining exactlywhatrecordsformedthebasisofOpinion#1because,asnotonlyweretherecordsnotidenti fied,thePoliceAdvisoryCommissionenteredintoanondisclosureagreementin2008withthePhila delphiaDistrictAttorneyastothoserecords.Wedonotknowwhichofthe2008Commissionersactu allyreviewedthoserecordseventhoughmanynamesweresignatoriestoOpinion#1. WecanreportthattherecordsnowbeforethePoliceAdvisoryCommission,andmadeapartof thisOpinion,areattachedasExhibitB.Wecanalsoreport,withfrustration,thatthePoliceAdvisory Commissionhasyettoreceiveallrequestedinformation.Forinstance,thePolicehavenotprovidedto

ThePolicedidnotrespondtotheCommissionrecommendationsinOpinion#1,notwithstandingthefactthattheopinion washanddeliveredtothePoliceCommissionSylvesterJohnsononNovember2,2007.ExecutiveOrder893requiresthe PoliceCommissionertorespondinwritingregardingwhichrecommendationsareaccepted,rejected,orwillbeimplement edwithmodifications.ExecutiveOrder893,Section4(f)(3).WewillthereforereissuetherecommendationsfromOpinion #1weconsiderappropriate. 7 TheCommissionwishestoacknowledgeTimothyCwiekforhisdoggedpursuitofthefactsintheNizahMorrisinvestiga tion.Eternalvigilancemightnotonlybethepriceoflibertybutmayalsobethepriceofjustice.

thePoliceAdvisoryCommissiontheinformationinthelawsuitbroughtbyNizahMorrismother, RoslynWilkins(CivilAction035209,RoslynWilkinsvs.CityofPhiladelphia,UnitedStatesDistrictCourt fortheEasternDistrictofPennsylvania).ThoseitemsareattachedasExhibitC.Themissingevi denceisofgreatconcerntotheCommissionandshouldbetothecitizensofPhiladelphia. WenotethatthePoliceAdvisoryCommissionisnotaCriminalJusticeAgencywithinthe meaningofCHRIA,andwearenotlegallypermittedtodivulgethecontentsofconfidentialpolicein formation;furthermore,wearelimitedbyExecutiveOrder893(5)(b)whichstates:TheCommission anditsmembersshallnotmakepublicanyconfidentialpolicedocument,orinformationderivedfrom anysuchconfidentialpolicedocument.ThisdoesnotmeanthatthePoliceAdvisoryCommissioncan notreportonthedocumentsonwhichwebaseourrecommendations. Thenondisclosureagreementthe2008PoliceAdvisoryCommissionenteredintowiththeD.A. underminesoureffectivenessandcredibilityasacivilianoversightboardandcompromisestheopen nessandtransparencythatisourraisondtre.AsthecurrentPoliceAdvisoryCommissionrefusedto enterintosuchanagreementpriortoobtainingaccesstotheD.A.recordsontheNizahMorrisinvesti gation,wearenotrestrictedinourabilitytocite,quoteordescribethedocuments. F. FINDINGS (1)P/OSkalascellphonecall ThisissuehasbeenplacedbeforetheCommissionbecauseoftheconflictingtestimonywheth erP/OSkalausedhercellphonetocallherdirectsupervisor,Sgt.MichaelDougherty.P/OSkalahas beenquestionedfive[5]timesabouttheNizahMorriscourtesyride. 8 Shehasconsistentlydenied askingforpermissionfortheridebecauseitwasunnecessaryforhertodoso.P/OSkalanevermen tionedcallingSgt.Doughertyonhercell.Sgt.Doughertywasquestionedon9/5/2003andplainlystat edthatP/OSkalacalledhimonhercellphoneandaskedpermission,whichhegranted.Atthislate date,theCommissioncannotdeterminewhosetestimonytobelieve.Wedontevenknowwhoto faultinnottryingtodetermineifacellphonecalloccurred. TheCommissiondidnothaveaccesstoSgt.DoughertysstatementorP/OSkalasstatementof 8/6/2003untiltheD.A.provideditsNizahMorrisfilein2011.Itwasonlythenwediscoveredthata cellphonecallmighthavebeenmadetoSgt.Doughertyanditwasentirelytoolateintheprocessto questionP/OSkalaasixthtime.WhytheD.A.sofficedidnotpursuethismatterisproblematic.Itmay alsobethefailureofthePoliceAdvisoryCommissiontonotethisinconsistencyuponviewingtheD.A.s filepursuanttothenondisclosureagreementin2008.WhytheCommissionfailedtofollowupthis inconsistencyisalsoproblematic.Thisisacrucialpieceofinformationwhichshouldhavebeenproper lyvettedbytheD.A.,thePolice,ortheCommission.Sufficeittosaythatthisinvestigationisnotcom pleteandthatthehomicideofacitizenofPhiladelphiaremainsunsolved. (2)Redacted7548 Theoriginal7548preparedbyP/OBerrywasredactedbyeitherthepoliceortheD.A.beforeit wassubmittedtotheCommissioninordertogivetheimpressionthattherewasnoconfusionabout NizahMorrisgenderthemorningoftheincident.Theoriginal7548hadanFaswellasanMfor thesexofthecomplainant.TheoriginalreportgavethecomplainantsnameasJaneDoe(John

1/3/2003,4/16/2003,8/6/2003,11/12/04,12/14/2004

Doe).TheoriginalreporthadanInvestigationControlNo.Allthreeitemswereremovedfromthe75 48giventotheCommission.Copiesofthe7548sareattachedasExhibitsDandEwiththere dactedinformationcircled.ItiscertainlyproblematicthatthePoliceand/orD.A.werenotforthcoming aboutgivingofficialpolicedocumentstotheCommission.Itcertainlyexemplifiesthesubterfugecon cerningtheNizahMorrisinvestigatorymaterialandwhywearecompelledtoforwardouropinionto othercriminalinvestigationagencies. (3)Conflictingwitnesstestimony WewouldberemissifwedidnotmentionthatP/OSkalastestimonyclearlycontradictsall othertestimonyinthismater.Wepreviouslymentionedthedisputedcellphonecallputtingherdi rectlyinconflictwithhersupervisor,Sgt.Dougherty.HertestimonyregardingtheconditionofNizah Morriswhensherespondedtothe911calldirectlycontradictsthetestimonyoffourcivilianwitnesses: MariaReilly,KateMcCusker,TrishaStryjewskiandPaulGisondi.ThisledthePoliceAdvisoryCommis sionsinvestigatortoconcludeP/OSkalablatantlyandmethodicallyprovidedafalsestatementinref erencetohowMs.Morrisenteredhervehiclewithoutassistancefromanycivilians.Itistheopinionof thisinvestigatorthatshealsoprovidedafalsestatementwhensheindicatedthatMs.Morriswasable tonavigateonherownwhenshedroppedheroffat16thandWalnutSts. 9 MariaReilly,KateMcCusker,TrishaStryjewskiandPaulGisondiwereindependentwitnesses. WeagreewiththeconclusionofthePoliceAdvisoryCommissionsinvestigatorthattheyhadnothing togainbygivingtheiraccountsoftheincident,towit,NizahMorriswasontheground,thatshehad tobehelpedtoherfeet,thatshekeptfalling,andthatseveralofthemassistedP/OSkalaplacingher intothepolicevehicle.P/OSkalavigorouslydeniesallthistestimony.HadP/OSkalaindicatedthat civiliansassistedheringettingNizahMorrisintothevehicle,itwouldfurthercallintoquestionnotonly why,buthowsheexitedthevehicleonceitarrivedat15thandWalnut. 10 G. RECOMMENDATIONSTOTHEPOLICEADVISORYCOMMISSION Recommendation1:ThePoliceAdvisoryCommissionshallnotenterintoanynondisclosure agreementwithacriminaljusticeagencywhichwillpreventusfromdiscussingordivulgingitemsre viewedandreliedupontobaseouropinions.WehaveamendedArticle3ofourInternalOperating Procedurestoread:THIRDPARTYAGREEMENTS:Nopanel,publichearingpanel,committee,orindi vidualCommissionerisauthorizedtoenterintoanythirdpartyagreementwithoutpriordisclosureand consentofoftheCommission. 11 Thereshouldneverbeasubsequentnondisclosureagreement saveinthemostcriticalofsituations. Recommendation2:AllPoliceAdvisoryCommissionopinionsaretobedatedandincludeasa finalfootnotethedateuponwhichtheopinionwassubmittedandapprovedbytheentireCommis

WellingtonStubbsMemorandum,3/22/2005,p.10. Opinion#1,forreasonsunknown,didnotaddresstheseinconsistencies,notwithstandingthefactthatthecredibilityof thewitnesseswasdirectlybeforetheCommission. 11 PoliceAdvisoryCommissionInternalOperatingProcedures,Article3(G),adoptedJanuary17,2011.

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sion. 12 IttookthisCommissionaconsiderabletimetodeterminethedateofOpinion#1. Recommendation3:AllPoliceAdvisoryCommissionopinionsaretoincludeasanexhibita compilationofrelevantevidencereliedonbytheCommission. 13 Thepublicdeservestoknowupon whichevidencetheCommissionismakingitsdecision,or,regrettablyasintheNizahMorrisopinion, whatevidencewasmissingorwithheld. Recommendation4:PursuanttoExecutiveOrder893,allopinionsaretobepersonallyhand deliveredtotheMayor,theManagingDirectorandthePoliceCommissionerandbymailingacopyto thecomplainant.Allopinionsbecomepublicdocumentsavailableforgeneralreleasethreedaysafter saiddelivery. 14 TheExecutiveOrdermerelyprovidesthattheopinionsaretobeprovided.Current practiceistohanddeliveropinionstotheMayor,ManagingDirector,andPoliceCommissioner,andwe thinkthatpracticeshouldbeinstitutionalized. Recommendation5:Onceanopinionbecomesapublicdocument,itistobepostedonthe PoliceAdvisoryCommissionwebsiteaswellastheanswertheretoreceivedfromthePolice.Ifnore sponseisreceivedfromthePolicewithinthirty(30)days,thePoliceAdvisoryCommissionwillremind thePoliceCommissioner,inwriting,thataresponsehasnotbeenreceived.Ifaresponseisnotre ceived,thePoliceAdvisoryCommissionwillsonoteonitswebsite. 15 ThefactthatOpinion#1,asde fectiveasitmighthavebeen,hasnotbeansweredbythePoliceisnotacceptable. Recommendation6:IfconflictingtestimonyisgivenbeforethePoliceAdvisoryCommission,a determinationofcredibilitymustbemade.Opinion#1recountsthetestimonyofP/OSkalaaswellas theconflictingtestimonyofPaulBrennan,MariaReilly,andTrishaStryjewski,yetmakesnodecisionon credibility. H. RECOMMENDATIONSTOTHEPOLICEDEPARTMENT AsnotedinFootnote6,thePolicefailedtorespondtothePoliceAdvisoryCommissionsrec ommendationsinOpinion#1.WereferencerecommendationsinPartDofOpinion#1,labeledDis cussion,whichconsistedofthreeparts:(1)Resuming 16 ofHospitalcase,(2)ProprietyofCourtesy Ride,and(3)ProprietyofthePoliceInvestigationaswellasaConclusion.ThisOpinionwillrestate therecommendationsfromOpinion#1itconsiderspertinent. Recommendation7:Policeofficersshouldnevermakeadeterminationtocancelahospital caseandDirective#63needstoberewrittentomakethatprohibitionclear.PoliceDirective#63is notdiscretionary,butmandatory.Directive#63isattachedheretoasExhibitF.AccordingtoChief

12 13

Ibid,Article6(R),adoptedMarch18,2013 Ibid,Article6(Q),adoptedMarch18,2013 14 ExecutiveOrder893,Section3(b). 15 Ibid,Article6(Q). 16 Resumingahospitalcasemeansthecancelationofacallforemergencymedicalassistance;i.e.,itcanresumeits readystatusforotheremergencycalls.Forthesakeofclaritywerefertothispracticeascancelling.

InspectorTiano,whotestifiedbeforethePoliceAdvisoryCommission,hospitalcasesshouldonlybe resumedbymedicallycompetentpersonsandpoliceofficersshouldneverindividuallymakethede termination.Giventhenatureofthe911call,P/OSkalasunilateralcancellingoftheemergencymedi calpersonnelandanassistingofficerwasadirectviolationofDirective#63.Thiscaseunderscoresthe purposeofPoliceDirectivesingeneral.Policeofficersneedtofollowtheguidelinesinordertoprotect thecitizensofPhiladelphiaandtoprotectthemselves. Recommendation8:ThePoliceneedtoadoptaspecificwrittenDirectiveregulatingcourte syrides.ThereisnowrittenPoliceDirective,RuleorPolicyagainstsocalledcourtesyridesasthat practicehasbeendiscretionarywiththeindividualpoliceofficer.Opinion#1recommendedthatspe cificguidelinesbeinstitutedwhichwouldaidtheindividualofficerstodeterminewhether,orinwhat circumstances,andunderwhatsupervision,courtesyridesshouldbeprovidedtocitizens.Aformally promulgatedregulationofcourtesyridescanonlyhelpthespeedofpoliceresponseandrelievesome ofthestrainonthelimitedresourcesofthePolice. 17 Recommendation9:ThePoliceneedtoadoptaspecificwrittenDirectiverestrictingorregu latingtheuseofprivatecellphonesforofficialbusiness.ThereisnowrittenPoliceDirective,Ruleor Policyagainsttheuseofprivatecellphonesbyondutypoliceofficersforofficialbusiness,although itismentionedperipherallyinDirective59(BombScaresExplosiveDevices). WemayneverknowifthecellphonecallwasmadefromP/OSkalatoSgt.Dougherty,butwe canstatethatanopenandtransparentrecordforpoliceactivityiscrucialandthePoliceAdvisory Commissionbelievesthatisbestaccomplishedbycallsto,from,andthroughPoliceRadioordepart mentissuedequipment.Anofftherecordcellphonecallpertainingtoofficialpolicebusinessun derminesthecredibilityandtransparencyofthepolicedepartmentandfrustratesmanagementover sight.Theuseofprivatecellphonesmustberegulatedandanappropriatedirectiveshouldbeissued sothatindividualpoliceofficersunderstandclearandpreciseparametersonwhentheycanuseacell phoneforofficialbusiness. ThisisnotanissueuniquetotheNizahMorrisinvestigationasthePoliceAdvisoryCommission hasseenseveralissuesofprivatecellphoneuseinothercaseswhileworkingwithInternalAffairs.We understandthatthepoliceradiosystemhasmanydeadspotsandfrequentoutagesandthatthePolice havebeentryingtocorrectthisforyears.Theresultisthatprivatecellphoneuseforpolicebusinessis toleratedwhenPoliceRadioisdown,butthatwasnotthecaseintheNizahMorrisinvestigation.It shouldnothappenagain. Recommendation10:ThePoliceneedtoimplementasexualorientation/diversitytraining courseaspartofpoliceacademytraining.ThecoretrainingforPhiladelphiapoliceacademycadetsis setforthpursuanttoAct120,MunicipalPoliceEducationandTraining,53Pa.C.S.2161etseq., whichestablishedtheMunicipalPoliceOfficersEducationandTrainingCommission.Basiccoursere

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Wealsonotethegrowingandindiscriminateuseandamorphousunderstandingofthepoliceandcitizensoftheuseof 911callshasevolvedfromtheoriginalstopandsavealifestandardtothepresentburdeningoftheemergencyresponse systemwithacatchallrequestformunicipalservices.Thestrainofaddingthesemoregeneralrequestscompoundsthe difficultandcriticalassessmentoftrueemergenceresponsesituations.Wesuggestamorethoroughandcoordinated reevaluationofthepolicedepartmentunderstandinganduseofpoliceresourcesfornonemergencyservicesthatmaybe efficientlydivertedtoamorestructuredcivilianresponsesuchasa24hourbased311system.

quirementsaredescribedat37Pa.Code203.51.Thesebasiccourserequirementscover16specific topics,oneofwhichishumanrelationsskills. 18 ThetreatmentofNizahMorrisandtheappallingin vestigationintoherhomicide,aswellaspoliceinteractionwithothermembersoftheLGBTcommuni ty,clearlydemonstratesthatthepolicerequiremorediversitytrainingintheiracademytraining.Area 10oftheMunicipalPoliceOfficersEducationandTrainingCommissioncurriculum,HumanRela tions,currentlyconsistsof24hoursinthefollowingareas:perceptionsofhumanbehavior,commu nications,culturaldiversity,andsuicide/hostagesituations.ThePhiladelphiaPoliceDepartmenthas attemptedtobolsterthisareawitha60minuteseminarwithmembersoftheLGBTcommunityafter thecadetshavealreadycompletedtheircourserequirements.ThePoliceAdvisory Commissionfinds thiswillnotdevelopthehumanrelationsskillsappropriatetodealingwithasizeableportionofPhila delphiacitizenry. OneofthefirstcommunitymeetingsofthereconstitutedPoliceAdvisory CommissioninJanu ary,2011,wasattheWilliamWayCommunityCenterandweheardseriousconcernsvoicedbythe LGBTcommunity.Weheardfromcivicandcommunityleadersthat,althoughtheupperechelonsof thePoliceactedappropriatelytomembersoftheLGBTcommunity,thatdidnotpermeatetotherank andfile.TheNizahMorrismatterwasnothandledappropriately,norinvestigatedappropriately,due, inpart,webelieve,becauseshewasatranswoman.AtleastoneinvestigativereportintheNizahMor risfilementionsP/OSkalaasactinginappropriatelyto,andsayingdemeaningthingsto,membersof thetransgendercommunity. 19 Forpurposesofthediversitytrainingissue,theredacted7548underscoresthatthePolice dontknowhowtohandleatransgender,andtheysoughttocoveruptheirmishandling.TheNizah Morrisincidenthappenedover10yearsagoandthePoliceAdvisoryCommissionwouldliketobelieve somematurationhasoccurredinthepoliceranks;however,arecentpolicereportreferredtoKyra Cordova,atranswoman,asamaninwomensclothing. 20 Obviously,theproblemscontinue. AttachedasExhibitGisapamphletentitledSexualOrientationTrainingCourseforLawEn forcementpreparedbytheCommissiononPeaceOfficerStandardsandTraining,StateofCalifornia, October,1992,whichsetsfortha12hoursexualdiversityprogramforpoliceofficers.TheCommission believesasimilar12hoursofeducationshouldbeaddedtothecurrent24hoursoftraininginArea10, HumanRelations.Thisisnecessaryforpolicecadetstoimprovethehumanrelationskillsthata modernpoliceforcehastoimplement.Itshouldalsobeusedwithexistingpoliceofficersreportingfor additionaltraining.Furthermore,theCommissionwillreferthisOpinion,itsrecommendations,and theSexualOrientationTrainingCoursematerialtotheMunicipalPoliceEducationandTrainingCom missionandurgethatitbeaddedto37Pa.Code205.51andimplementedstatewide. Recommendation11:ThePolicepracticeofprogressivedisciplinepreventsthePoliceAdviso ryCommissionfromrecommendinganadequatepunishmentforP/OScala.ThePoliceAdvisory CommissionwillnotaddfurtherinjusticetothelitanyofNizahMorrisinjusticesbyrecommending moreappropriatepunishmenttoP/OSkalagiventhetenyearlapseoftimeandhersubsequentservice tothedepartment.ItisparticularlydisconcertingthatInternalAffairssustainedachargeagainstP/O

18 19

37Pa.Code203.51(b)(7) DejaAlvarez,InvestigativeInterviewRecord,PhiladelphiaPoliceDepartmentHomicideDivision,PhiladelphiaDistrictAt torneysOffice,4/24/03 20 Transwomanshottodeath,Phila.GayNews,9/7/129/13/12;Tragedycompoundedbyinsensitivity,Phila.GayNews, 9/14/129/20/12.

SkalaforviolatingPoliceDirective#63(HospitalCases)aswellasDirective128,whichled,directlyor indirectly,tothedeathofNizahMorris,butonlyrecommendedaverbalreprimand. 21 Itseemsequally ludicrousthatOpinion#1foundInternalAffairsverbalreprimanddidnotsufficientlyemphasizethe importanceoffollowingpolicedirectivesandadheringtoguidelines 22 yetthePoliceAdvisoryCom missiontooknostrongeractionthantorecommendP/OSkalaundergoadditionaltrainingwithregard tothePhiladelphiaPoliceDepartmentDirectiveNo.63. 23 Torestatethisinthevernacular:Nowwe reallymeanit.Studywhatyoushouldalreadyknowanddontdoitagain. P/OSkalasfailuretofollowtheclearandunambiguousPolicedirectivesconcerninghospital casesledtothedeathofacitizenwhoshehastakenanoathtopreserve,protectanddefend;howev er,theprogressivedisciplineapproachemployedbythePolicecannotadequatelyorappropriately punishherforhertransgressions.ThePoliceAdvisoryCommissionbelievesthatjusticecanonlybe achievedbyafurtherreviewoftheNizahMorrismatterbyanagencyotherthanthePolice. I. REQUIREMENTOFFURTHERINVESTIGATION ThePoliceAdvisoryCommissionbelievesithasaddressedthoseitemsthatcanbecorrectedon thelocallevel.WehavetakenappropriatestepstoguaranteemoreefficientandtransparentPolice AdvisoryCommissioninvolvementinthefuture.Wehavespokenoftheobstaclesplacedinourwayby theD.A.sofficeandhopethatthenewadministrationwillcontinuetodealwiththePoliceAdvisory Commissioninamoreopenand,onceagain,transparentmanner.Wehavemadeaseriesofrecom mendationstothePolicewithrespecttoDirective63(HospitalCases),theregulationofcourtesy rides,theregulationofprivatecellphonesforofficialbusiness,andtheimplementationofadequate diversitytraining.ThePoliceAdvisoryCommissionalsohopesthatithasseenthelastofredactedrec ords.ThecitizensofPhiladelphiadeserveanopenandtransparentresolutionofPoliceissuesandhave everyrighttoexpectthattheagenciestheysupportwiththeirtaxescooperatefullyandefficiently. AlthoughtheNizahMorrisinvestigationisvoluminous,itisneitherefficientnorcomplete. ThePoliceAdvisoryCommissionwillalsobeforwardingacopyofthisOpiniontotheMunicipal PoliceOfficersEducationandTrainingCommissiontoencourageastatewideimplementationofade quatediversitytraining.SurelythenotionthattheLGBTcommunityisconfinedtomajormetropolitan areasisoutdated.Wearecertainthatstatewidelawenforcementpersonnelcanbenefitfromaddi tionaltraininginthisarea. WestartedthisopinionwithaquotationfromtheReverendJamesSmithandfinditonlyfitting toendwithonefromthegreatEdmundBurkewhosaidAllthatisnecessaryforthetriumphofevilis thatgoodmendonothing.ThePoliceAdvisoryCommissioncannotsolvethetragichomicideofNizah Morris;however,itcanhighlightthesystematicflawsintheinvestigationbytheCommission,thePo lice,andtheD.A.Policerecordswerelostfor8years. 24 Recordswereredactedoraltered.Police procedureswithrespecttohospitalcasesandintoxicatedpersonswerenotfollowed.Policeproce

21

Verbalappliestothingsthatareputintowords,whetherwrittenorspoken,whileoralpertainstothemouth,to medicationstakenbymouth,andtothingsthatarespoken.WeassumethatthePoliceissuedanoralreprimandtoP/O Skala. 22 Opinion#1,page7. 23 Opinion#1,page8. 24 WewishtocommendCommissionerCharlesRamseyforhisforthrightnessinrespondingtoourrequests,diligently searchingforandfindingtherecordsandreportingittothepublicaswellastheCommission.

10

duresregardingrecordkeepingandtheloggingofinformationwerenotfollowed.Officialpolicebusi nessmayhavebeenconductedonprivatecellphonesandthereforeofftherecord.Discrepanciesin recordswerenotfollowedup.Recordsarestillmissing.Andthetestimonyissoinconsistentthatwe believeperjurymighthavebeencommitted. Thesearetheproblemsthatweknow.Whatwedonotknowmaybemoreproblematic.The PoliceAdvisoryCommissioncannotstatewithcertitudeifthiswasapurposefulcourseofactivityto obfuscatethefactsoftheNizahMorrishomicide,orjustsimplehumanerror.ThePoliceAdvisory Commissioncannotstatewithcertitudeiftherewasapurposefulcourseofactivitytoerasetheexist enceofthecourtesyride.Wehavereachedourproceduralandlegallimitations.Wethereforein tendtoforwardacopyofthisadvisoryopiniontoboththePennsylvaniaAttorneyGeneralandthe federalDepartmentofJustice,andurgebothagenciestoreviewthefactsandthePoliceDepart mentsinvestigationintheNizahMorrishomicide.Thepassageoftimemaywellprovefataltoany realisticinvestigation,butthatdoesnotmeanitshouldnotbeattemptedlestwefulfilltheominous predictionofEdmundBurke. ThisOpinionconstitutesthefinaldispositionofthecomplaintofRoslynWilkinsfollowingthefullPolice AdvisoryCommissionsreviewofthereportandrecommendationofthePanel. 25

25

ThefinaldraftofthisOpinionwassubmittedtoandapprovalbytheCommissiononApril1,2013.PursuanttoExecutive OrderNo.893,thisOpinionwaspersonallydeliveredtotheMayor,theManagingDirectorandthePoliceCommissioner. TheOpinionbecameapublicdocumentavailableforgeneralreleasethreebusinessdaysaftersuchdelivery.Acopyofthis OpinionwasmailedtoRoselynWilkinsthesamedaythatitwasdeliveredtotheMayor,ManagingDirectorandthePolice Commissioner.

11

NIZAHMORRISINVESTIGATIONTIMELINE

DATE

EVENT NizahMorrisfoundonthestreetwithafatalheadwound20 minutesafterridinginaPhiladelphiapolicevehicle PoliceAdvisoryCommissionvotestoinvestigatepoliceactions connectedwithNizahMorrisdeath RoslynWilkins(NizahMorrismother)filesformalcomplaint withPoliceAdvisoryCommission RoslynWilkinsfilescivilactioninfederalcourt Civilactionsettledfor$250,000 PoliceAdvisoryCommissionconveneshearingonWilkinscomplaint PoliceAdvisoryCommissionissuesOpinion#1 PoliceAdvisoryCommissionisnotifiedshortlyafterpublishing Opinion#1thattheopinionisbasedonincompletefiles PoliceAdvisoryCommissionvotestoreopenNizahMorrisinvestigation PoliceAdvisoryCommissionsubpoenasrecordsofinvestigation fromD.A.LynnAbraham PoliceAdvisoryCommissionagreestoaNonDisclosure AgreementwiththeD.A.asaconditionofreviewingthefile

December22,2002 April10,2003 May30,2003 September16,2003 June26,2004 December57,2006 November2,2007 November,2007 March,2008 March27,2008 November2008 Spring&Fall,2010 January2011 January2011 November22,2011 March31,2012

PoliceAdvisoryCommissionreconstitutedwithnewcommissioners ReconstitutedPoliceAdvisoryCommissionvotestoreviewrecordsagain HomicidefilelocatedinCityHallArchives PoliceAdvisoryCommissionreviewsDistrictAttorneysfile PoliceAdvisoryCommissionissuesOpinion

ExhibitA 12

RECORDSREVIEWED OriginalPACmaterials 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. CompletedInvestigationSummaryForm OriginalComplaint CitizensComplaint/Report CommissionInterviews DavidBrennan(dateunknown) PaulGisondi(phoneinterview12/13/04) P/OKennethNovak,Badge#2168(3/15/05) CommissionDocuments DrawingofaccidentasviewedbyDavidBrennan PhotosofareawhereNizahMorriswaspickedupanddroppedoff DeathCertificateofNizahMorris MedicalFileofNizahMorris Typedtranscriptofpolicerecordingof12/22/02(suppliedbyPhila.GayNews) PPDDirective63 PPDDirective128 PPDC.A.D.Reports PPDAssignmentlogs PPD7548s(Complaint/IncidentReport) InterviewsReliedonbyI.A.D. P/OElizabethScala,badge#2409(1/3/03,D.A.sOffice) P/OElizabethScala,(12/14/04) P/OKennethNovak,badge#2168(4/11/03,D.A.sOffice) P/OKennethNovak(9/8/04) P/OKennethNovak(1/13/05) P/OThomasBerry,badge#2507(1/15/03,D.A.sOffice) P/OThomasBerry(4/15/03) Lt.MichaelCraigheadsInvestigativeReport,Interview MariaReilly(1/22/03) TrishaStryjewski(1/22/03) KateMcCusker(1/22/03) P/OElizabethSkala(11/12/04) PoliceDocuments 7548writtenbyP/OBerry P/OBerrysPatrolActivityLogof12/22/02) P/ONovaksPatrolActivityLogof12/22/02 P/OSkalasPatrolActivityLogof12/22/02 IncidentHistoryPrintoutforDC#0206076368 C.A.D.ReportforDC#0206076368(oneentryappearsredacted) PPDDocumentsprovidedbyDistrictAttorneysOffice4/11/08 HomicideDivisionSpecialAssignmentMemorandum ExhibitB,p.1

13

 10.

ActivitySheets(6pages) WilliamE.Jackson,statement(9pages) JamesC.TolbertIII,statement(4pages) MichaelGoodnell,statement(5pages) DavidFattahJr.,statement(2pages) PaulGisondi,statement(2pages) OscarPadilla,statement(3pages) NatalieNuzzi,statement(3pages) TrishaStryjewski,statement(4pages) ReneeDenenberg,statement(3pages) MariaReilly,statement(4pages) KateMcCusker,statement(4pages) MelindaGarcia,statement(3pages) CorrespondencefromTimothyCwiektoCommissionerSylvesterJohnson(1/27/03) (1page) CorrespondencefromTimothyCwiektoCapt.ThomasLippo(2/6/03)(1page) CourtHistoryofRobertMorris(13pages) ReportofAutopsyandToxicologyReport,OfficeofMedicalExaminer(5pages) ReportofAutopsyandNeuropathologyReport,OfficeoftheMedicalExaminer(5pages) OfficeroftheMedicalexaminer(1page) P/OElizabethSkala,badge#2409,statement(2pages) P/OKennethNovak,badge#2168,statement(1page) P/OTomBerry,badge#2507(3pages) Complaint/IncidentReport,Form7548(1page) InternalInvestigation,IAD#021050Memorandum(11pages) PatrolActivityLog(2pages) Dispatch/PoliceRadioPrintout(1/9/03)(1page) IncidentHistoryDetailReport(3pages) Dispatch/PoliceRadioPrintout(1page) IncidenttransmittalInquiryReport(1page) 7548InquiryScreen(Printout(1page) DispatchFireRadioPrintout(4/15/03)(1page) DispatchFireRadioPrintout(1page)

DocumentsreceivedfromtheDistrictAttorneysOffice11/22/11 (Onlythosedocumentsinadditiontotheabovelisteddocumentsarelisted) InvestigationInterviewRecords(PPDHomicideDivision) JoyAdams(5/21/03), DejaAlvarez(4/24/03) P/OThomasBerry(1/15/03,4/15/03,8/8/03) DavidBrennan(4/17/03),MeghannCarey(5/12/03) DanielColl(10/16/03), KeithCollins(5/1/03) ReneeDenenbery(5/14/03),Sgt.MichaelDougherty(9/5/03) DavidFattah(4/29/03),AneesaFerreira(5/15/03 TroyFiall(4/28/03) MelindaGarcia(5/2/03)

ExhibitB,p.2 14

 11.

KendricGary,EMT(6/30/03) PaulGisondi(5/20/03) TeresaHeight,EMT(4/9/03) ChristopherIngram(4/30/03) WilliamJackson(4/16/03,5/30/03) DavidKumpf(5/14/03) JaniceMarsh(5/20/03) SteveMcCarthy(4/9/02) KathleenMcCusker(5/12/03) AlvinMelton(5/13/03) P/OKennethNovak(4/11/03,8/8/03) NatalieNozzi(5/8/03) OscarPadilla(4/15/03) DianePellecchia,EMT(6/30/03) MariaReilly(5/8/03) MarkRombol(5/15/03) P/OElizabethSkala(1/3/03,4/16/03,8/6/03) KennethSmith(xx) TrishaStryjewski(5/8/03) CynthiaThompson(5/1/03) AndriaThomas(6/30/03) TinaWilliams(4/21/03) ActivitySheets(Detectives) 12/26/02#3Platoon 12/28/02Det.Myles 12/29/02Det.Myles 12/31/02Det.Myles 1/22/03Det.Bell Unredacted7548byP/OBerry

MaterialsreceivedfromTimothyCwiek Onehundredplus(100+)transmissionsfromPhiladelphias911callcenter PatrolactivitylogsfilledoutbythethreeofficersinvolvedintheMorrisincident PhonemessagesleftonNizahMorrisansweringmachinebyJeffersonHospital personnel OfficerBerrysoriginal7548(beforeredaction) MunicipalDefendantsInitialDisclosuresPursuanttoRule26(a) RoslynWilkinsv.CityofPhiladelphia,CivilActionNo,035209, UnitedStateDistrictCourtfortheEasternDistrictofPennslvania P/OSkalasAnswertoInterrogatories(seeabove) C.A.D.(ComputerAidedDispatch)re:MorrisInvestigation(redacted) SearchWarrants: 108806PNC,1511WalnutStreet 108807Fleet,1428WalnutStreet 108808Hudson,1607WalnutStreet

ExhibitB,p.3 15

RECORDSNOTREVIEWED,MISSING,LOST
Interviews: AviaAlbaladejo FinesseAshford EdBurkhardt(YellowCab) DanielCaldwell JanetCarrasquillo DeniseCohen JamesCole DennisFlynn ThomasGorman ValerieGrenader(Phila.Coach) KellyHarper AnthonyHill JamesLeRoux WilliamLucas RodneyMatthews CharlesMyers BelindaRoberts P/OKeithRollins SamuelRegalbuto BassanSalahelden(Millenium) JasaniSincere AndreaThomas(VictoryCab) CynthiaThompson(SEPTA) SheltonWest RoselynWilkins ReassanZeno PICTaxiInformation,Pa.PublicUtilityCommission NewLook MonthlyDues Photosoftaxidrivers YellowCabUtilityNamesandAddresses Phila.PolicePropertyReceipts RadioTapes Cassettetapesofpoliceradiorecordings,December22,2002 December31,2002RadioTapesandTransmittals SearchWarrants 108810Phila.PoliceRadioRoom911system 108809,1632WalnutStreet 108816AT&TWirelessCellPhoneRecords TaxiInformation,copiesofdownloadedinformationontaxicabs

ExhibitC,16 p.1

1400and1500blockofWalnutStreetbusinessarea listoftrashbins listofbusinesseson1400blockofWalnutStreet listofbusinesseson1500blockofWalnutStreet ThomasJeffersonHospitalreceiptsforjewelry TimeElaspedVideotapes FleetBank#108807 PNCBank#108806 HudsonBand,fourvideotapes ExhibitC, 17p.2

ExhibitD 18

ExhibitE 19

 ExhibitF,p.1 20

 ExhibitF,p.2 21

 ExhibitF,p.3 22

ExhibitF, p.4 23

 ExhibitF,p.5 24

ExhibitG,p.1 25

26 ExhibitG, p.2

 ExhibitG,p.3 27

 ExhibitG,28 p.4

 ExhibitG,p.5 29

 ExhibitG,p.6 30

 ExhibitG,p.7 31

 ExhibitG,p.8 32

ExhibitG,p.9 33

 ExhibitG,p.10 34

ExhibitG,p.11 35