Kevin Bethel is the former Deputy Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) and the current Chief of Security at the School District of Philadelphia. His professional career is set to undergo changes and new challenges starting in 2024.
The elected mayor, Cherelle Parker, appointed him as the next police commissioner of Philadelphia. Bethel, 60, will replace interim commissioner John M. Stanford Jr.
During Bethel’s announcement, Parker emphasized that “our next commissioner will lead our department into a new day and a new era of public safety and community engagement.”
Bethel also addressed the importance of improving the relationship between officials and the community, stating, “I am proud to be a police officer, but we are not your enemy. We are here to serve.”
“We have our issues, and we can address them. But to the men and women, I say give us the opportunity to do so, to serve you in this space. Give us the chance to be what you want us to be.”
Bethel also discussed his approach to addressing the city’s crime. “I can sit here and tell you I’m not going to lock up a 10-year-old for bringing scissors to school.”
“But, I could also tell you I’m going to lock up someone who goes into a store and robs someone with a gun, someone who kills people on our streets. Our job is to enforce the law.”
The next police commissioner of Philadelphia joined the department in 1986 and held various roles, including Deputy Commissioner, for 29 years. He left the organization in 2016 to work in the juvenile justice system.
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In the department, he led the 17th police district in Point Breeze, as well as the regional operations command for the south, southwest, and center of Philadelphia. He also worked on narcotics, special investigations, and internal affairs-related tasks.
When Bethel Retired
When Bethel retired, he became the Deputy Commissioner, a position from which he oversaw the city’s patrol operations, including the neighborhood services unit, the school district police, and the community relations unit.
Since school safety fell under his purview, he came up with the idea of the Philadelphia Police School Diversion Program, which took paths involving social services.
After retiring from the police department, Bethel received a juvenile justice fellowship from the Stoneleigh Foundation, based in Philadelphia, which focused on expanding that program.
With the goal of transforming interactions between youth and law enforcement, Bethel founded a non-profit organization called the Law Enforcement Juvenile Justice Institute.
Later, in 2019, Bethel, who holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Chestnut Hill College and a master’s degree in public safety management from St. Joseph’s University, was appointed Chief of Security in the school district.
Parker and her new administration, which will lead the city of Philadelphia, will assume office on January 1, 2024.
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