Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

US: Police to Delay Arrests for Some Nonviolent Offenses in Response to COVID-19

US: Police to Delay Arrests for Some Nonviolent Offenses in Response to COVID-19

Philadelphia police will delay arrests for certain nonviolent offenses in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic

Philadelphia police will delay arrests for certain nonviolent offenses in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic but the commissioner insists they are "not turning a blind eye to crime."

Police announced Tuesday that arrests for certain nonviolent offenses will be made “pursuant to an Arrest Warrant, which will be served at a later date.” The change in protocol means anyone accused of a nonviolent offense who would normally be arrested and processed at a detective division will now be temporarily detained for the purpose of confirming their identity and the completion of required paperwork. They’ll then be arrested at a later date.

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw clarified the policy in a tweet early Wednesday morning, claiming her department "is not turning a blind eye to crime."


"This is similar to the 'summons process' that is utilized in many other counties throughout the Commonwealth," Outlaw said. "An officer still has the authority to utilize discretion, and take an offender into physical custody for immediate processing, if the officer and supervisor believe the individual poses a threat to public safety."


Other changes include the following:

Officers from various plain-clothes specialized units will be temporarily reassigned to uniform patrol duties.
The “Live Stop” vehicle impoundment program will be suspended until further notice.
Nonessential training has been temporarily suspended.
Police Radio will redirect certain calls for service to Patrol Districts. An officer will speak to citizen via telephone, then, prepare a police report.
Police Department employees are being versed in best practices to avoid communication of COVID-19 (e.g., maintaining proper social distancing, washing hands regularly, wearing of nitrile gloves, refraining from touching face and eyes, etc.).


Coronavirus Pandemic

Full coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak and how it impacts you

Mayor Jim Kenney said the arrest policy changes were made with input from various parts of his administration.

"For my part, I want to make this clear, the revised protocols were a result of a thoughtful collaboration among the police department, the managing director's office, the health department and our criminal justice partners, including the first judicial district," Kenney said at a Wednesday afternoon news conference.

"I believe these changes strike a proper balance between protecting the health of the public and our police officers and ensuring public safety," Kenney said.


The police union is also supporting the temporary changes.

"We are supportive of Commissioner Outlaw’s directive on making arrests during the Coronavirus crisis," Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5 president John McNesby wrote in a statement. "The directive was released to keep officers safe during this public-health crisis. Meanwhile, violent offenders will be arrested and processed with the guidance of a police supervisor."

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×