This year marks the 45th anniversary of the official designation of February as Black History Month – just a drop in the bucket of time pooled from centuries of Black people making history in the United States, and of this country’s history being thrust upon us. 

As we strive to place special emphasis upon all that Black people have endured, survived, and accomplished in America, we need to honor our recent history, which both shows how far we have come – and how far we have to go. Months of civil protest brought about by the senseless killings of George Floyd, Breanna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and too many others; the echoes of countless past health care injustices heard in the disproportionate number of Black people succumbing to COVID-19; and the ugly spectacle of so many Confederate flags, hats and shirts defiling the Capitol during last month’s insurrection – this course of human events has underscored that not only must the struggle continue, but it must be memorialized at the same time.

On January 20, 2021, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris was sworn in as Vice President of the United States. The election of the first woman, the first African American and the first Indian American woman as Vice President was a historic moment for America.

Vice President Harris’s monumental victory is the clearest evidence yet for both young Black girls and women of color everywhere that they can achieve anything if they work hard enough. Her victory will undoubtedly create more opportunities for more women leaders to rise, and more diversity in leadership positions, and employment and business opportunities.

Philadelphia, PA -- The Office of the Philadelphia Sheriff underwent an historic change in leadership when Rochelle Bilal was sworn into office on January 6, 2020. The Bilal administration inherited a host of organizational, cultural, and financial issues from the previous administration. Nevertheless, the newly elected Sheriff was up to the challenge of implementing the reforms needed to move forward. Sheriff Bilal went to work on day one by forming a 23-member transition team to review all departments under her leadership. Surveys were issued to all departments to create a clear picture of the office’s strengths and challenges.

Today, one year later, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this office has made significant, quantifiable improvements and accomplishments.

Watch the one-year review short documentary here: The Philadelphia Sheriff Office - One Year Review - YouTube

Philadelphia, PA -- On the national holiday bearing his name, we celebrate the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This year, more than ever, current events have caused me to turn even more intently to his speeches and quotes. Dr. King understood the power of words: their ability to encourage, inspire, educate, comfort, and enlighten. These words still resonate on what would have been his 92nd year as a change agent in our society: “The limitation of riots, moral questions aside, is that they cannot win, and their participants know it. Hence, rioting is not revolutionary but reactionary because it invites defeat.”

As we recover from the unprecedented attack on our Capitol, our democracy, and our fellow brothers and sisters in arms who valiantly defended their stations, we must now also stand ready for any other attacks of domestic terrorism that may occur in the days leading up to the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on January 20.

Last week’s violent riot, vandalism and looting of the literal heart of the American democratic process by thousands of people inflamed and encouraged by President Donald Trump was shocking – but not surprising. It was just the latest, most despicable example yet of how this president has sought to divide this country and destroy tradition. The peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of our democracy.

Philadelphia, PA – After Sheriff Bilal won the primary election to become Philadelphia’s first female Sheriff, but prior to her transition into the role—it was brought to her attention that many improprieties had been transpiring in the Armory. Sheriff Bilal, being a retired Philadelphia Police officer for 27 years, realized the significance of such accusations and directed the individuals relaying the information to the City Controller’s Office so that an investigation, as well as an internal audit could be conducted. Once she took office, she instructed her Chief Deputy to assist with the investigation by supplying any, and all, information requested by the Controller’s Office.

Further, she began to address issues with the Armory that the office uncovered by her transition team.

On July 21, 2020, The NAACP’s Lancaster chapter hosted a webinar that discussed racial bias and police reform.

Sheriff Bilal, a former Philadelphia police officer and member of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers (NABLEO), discussed what she noticed when it comes to police relations with black people. Sheriff Bilal believes that unnecessary prejudice can lead to black individuals being stopped more often by police officers than their white counterparts. The example that she gave was a black man running in the rain, empty handed, would be viewed very negatively by the police. The assumption would be that he is running from the scene of a crime. However, a white main running in the rain with a stolen tv would not prompt the same response from the police officer who happens to be passing by.

As the panel continued, Sheriff Bilal, along with the other panelists, encouraged people to join organizations that will promote reform and positive changes, such as the NAACP. Sheriff Bilal also encouraged those listening to consider a career in law enforcement to enact the change they wish to see within their cities.

On Saturday, July 11, 2020, Sheriff Rochelle Bilal and The Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office, along with their partners at The Guardian Civic League, Caring For Friends, Local Laborers Union 57, Muslims Serve, The Black Male Community Council of Philadelphia and Revolutionary Vision, distributed food to Philadelphia families in need at 6143 Landowne Avenue.

Since the pandemic, the Sheriff’s Office has had five food giveaways across Philadelphia. The Sheriff’s Office goal is to ensure that during these difficult no family in Philadelphia goes hungry during these difficult times.

The next public food giveaway will be on July 25, 2020 at 11am.

Additional details to follow on our social media pages: Facebook.com (@philasheriff), Twitter.com (@PhilaSheriff), Instagram.com (@phillysheriff).

To view the recap of the food giveaway, click here.

Effective January 20, 2021
FACE MASK REQUIRED

• The Sheriff’s Office will STRICTLY enforce Scheduled Appointments ONLY
• Sheriff Sale Inquiries – visit our website “phillysheriff.com”

Real Estate staff will schedule appointments only for matters that are necessary for the person to come to 100 South Broad Street, 5th Floor. All persons must have a face mask to receive service. The Sheriff’s Office will strictly comply with CDC, State and City guidelines for everyone’s safety.

Original article by Dan Zak and Ellen McCarthy published July 6, 2020

As the country is entering into another month filled with protests, black and brown police officers are left in an awkward position. The job they signed up for is now under extreme scrutiny, following the death of George Floyd. They signed up for the job because they wanted to make a change but have found that prejudice runs deep in the state of policing.

Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, a former Philadelphia police officer, continues to be an outspoken supporter of those who are protesting. In her interview with the Washington Post, Sheriff Bilal would go on to discuss her experience with Philadelphia police officers as she was growing up in North Philadelphia. She also shed some light on what she experienced as a police officer.

Sheriff Bilal stated that, “police officers beat up my brothers. We thought they were the occupied enemy in my neighborhood. We would be up on the roofs throwing stuff down at them. We saw nothing good from them.”

Sheriff Bilal would go on to becoming a police officer to enact change. As a recruit, Sheriff Bilal experienced the injustice that has been plaguing policing for so long. She discussed how white officers would not face punishment for wrongdoing while black officers would be punished for the same thing.  She also witnessed an online message board for city police officers become a place where obscene racial remarks were often made.

Sheriff Bilal knows that work must be put in for policing to be changed on the inside so that when officers are out on the street, they are doing the proper work.

To read Sheriff Bilal’s interview with The Washington Post, click here.