Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker has been chosen as the next Philadelphia Police Commissioner.

Kevin Bethel, who is currently serving as the Chief of School Safety for the School District Of Philadelphia, has been chosen for the job.

Bethel has worked for the SDP since 2019 and previously served for the Philadelphia Police Department for 29 years, holding roles such as Deputy Police Commissioner of Patrol Operations before retiring from the force.

This nomination comes after previous Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw left the job to become Deputy Chief Security Officer for the Port Authority in New Jersey.

The role of Philadelphia Police Commissioner is currently being filled by John M. Stanford.

Bethel’s nomination comes as the first major leadership decision for Parker, who campaigned for public safety throughout the mayoral race.

The Philadelphia Board of Education congratulated Kevin Bethel on his new role, saying, “We, the public education village, look forward to the continued collaboration with Commissioner Bethel, and we extend our collective best wishes for his success, recognizing that his triumphs resonate as successes for our entire community,” said Reginald L. Streater, Esq., Board of Education President.

District Attorney Larry Krasner released a statement also congratulating Kevin Bethel, ” As a seasoned law enforcement professional who has served for decades in the Philadelphia Police Department, and who oversaw a sea change in juvenile justice interventions at the School District of Philadelphia, Kevin Bethel brings strong credentials – and promise – to the post of Police Commissioner. I look forward to working with him on new and creative approaches that will make Philadelphia thrive. 

Stay with PHL17 for more on this developing story.