Police oversight chair's preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 12 as the commission carries on without him
Hassan Bennett, on leave from the Citizens Police Oversight Commission, has not entered a plea to bribery and witness intimidation charges. The commission's vice chair and executive director are speaking for it in the meantime.
The criminal case against Hassan Bennett, chair of Philadelphia's Citizens Police Oversight Commission, now has its next court date. A preliminary hearing before Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Karen Y. Simmons is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12, Law360 reported. Bennett has not yet entered a plea, the outlet reported.
The commission, known as CPOC, is the city agency that reviews police conduct and civilian complaints. Residents who file complaints with it have a stake in how it protects confidential records and who leads it while its chair is on leave.
The case so far
The charges are allegations, and Bennett is presumed innocent. As we reported Oct. 28, the District Attorney's Office charged Bennett on Oct. 27 with intimidation of a witness, conspiracy, bribery and criminal use of a communication facility. Prosecutors allege he read an arrest report to a jailed man and gave him a witness's name in exchange for $500, using access from his job as a bail navigator at the Defender Association. Bail was set at $1 million, the Inquirer reported.
At a preliminary hearing, a judge decides whether prosecutors have enough evidence for the case to go to trial. It is not a trial.
Who is speaking for the commission
CPOC's public statement on the arrest was issued by Vice Chair Malika Rahman and Executive Director Tonya McClary on behalf of the commission, according to the city. It said the commission will "respect the legal process," will not comment on allegations under investigation, and will "take appropriate steps to protect confidential information." It did not say what those steps are. It also said, "Our responsibility to the people of Philadelphia remains unchanged."
The statement confirms Bennett is on leave. It does not name an acting chair.
What our records add
- Council created the commission. CPOC was formed through legislation from City Council that voters then approved, the Inquirer noted.
- No pending Council action. We found no bill or resolution this term in our records dealing with CPOC's membership, leadership or records access, and no hearing on the commission is on our meetings calendar.
- Seats. KYW reported last week that six of the commission's nine seats are filled.
- Same day as Council. Nov. 12 is also Council's first session after the election (meeting page), with 17 bills eligible for final votes.
What's next
- Nov. 12: Preliminary hearing in Municipal Court.
- The commission: CPOC has said it will share more as it becomes available. Its statement lists its communications office for questions.
- Council: Any resolution calling for a hearing on CPOC would appear on our calendar and the session agenda.