Philadelphia cops outraged over new DA who values civil rights

Larry Krasner

As part of the many progressive victories last Tuesday, the city of Philadelphia, PA voted for a civil rights lawyer ^[pictured] who’s repeatedly sued the local police department for misconduct to be their new district attorney. Being responsible civil servants, the city police are reacting by throwing a hissy fit:

Officer Marc Marchetti, who changed his profile photo to Krasner’s on Wednesday, began a conversation in which friends used the hashtag #notmyDA and described Krasner in profane terms.

As for Marchetti, he wrote, “He doesn’t give me my arrest powers so [I] don’t care. No blood on my hands when he lets the s–bags out.”

Another officer, Bob Condart, responded with an image of the logo of the District Attorney’s Office flipped upside-down, a move that is considered a symbol of distress.

Also on the page, Officer John Graziano called Krasner a “creepo scumbag.” And Officer Steve Mancuso wrote: “He’s got that look on his face you just wanna wipe off with a bitch slap.” (Mancuso has been accused of such rough handling, in a “violent takedown” of an Eagles fan during a game; the case was settled out of court.)

Another commenter wrote, “Hitler could run for DA or Mayor on the Democratic ticket and win.”

Then Marchetti’s partner, Kevin Klein, posted a video of Marchetti prank-calling the law office of Krasno Krasno & Onwudinjo to congratulate Krasner on his win. The video shows a close-up of Marchetti calling the office — which is not connected to the DA-elect — and asking a confused receptionist if Krasner was available. The video, which looked as if it was made inside a police facility, was removed or made private after Philly.com contacted Klein requesting comment. Klein referred questions to police Internal Affairs.

Kudos to these Philadelphia Police Department officers for illustrating precisely why their citizenry voted for a reformist DA. Unfortunately for them, they don’t have a say in it; they work for the people, and that same people chose Krasner. It’s fitting that these cops will now be held accountable for their actions by a guy who’d already made it his career to do that beforehand, and it’s very telling how pissed off they are about it. Because as far as they’re concerned, protecting people’s rights simply isn’t part of their job.

(via @radleybalko)