William Johnson, executive director of the Police Advisory Commission,
was removed from his post Thursday with the civilian-led police- oversight
group.
"At the last public meeting, there was some open disagreement
between the commissioners and Bill regarding case-handling," said Ronda
Goldfein, chairwoman of the Police Advisory Commission. The panel investigates
citizen complaints against police and advises Commissioner Charles Ramsey on
whether additional training, disciplinary action or other procedures may be
necessary for officers who are the target of complaints.
Johnson is the brother of Deputy Commissioner Stephen Johnson, who heads
the police Internal Affairs Department. Commissioners have expressed concerns
that the organization is not investigating and closing citizen complaints
quickly enough.
The commission is expected to tap Kelvyn Anderson, the group's deputy
director, to fill Johnson's post on an interim basis until the Nutter
administration appoints a new director.
"He's been there for many years, he's done a fine job and he
understands all of the challenges that the commission faces," Goldfein
said of Anderson. "We're very much committed in making the PAC efficient
and not losing ground with the change in personnel."
Johnson and Anderson were unavailable for comment Friday night.