Police oversight commission chair is charged with bribery and witness intimidation

The chair of Philadelphia's Citizens Police Oversight Commission, Hassan Bennett, was arrested Tuesday and charged with bribery and witness intimidation, the District Attorney's Office announced Oct. 27. The charges are allegations. Bennett has not been convicted, and he did not respond to a request for comment, KYW Newsradio reported.

The commission, known as CPOC, is the city agency that reviews police conduct and handles civilian complaints. The case raises questions about how confidential case records are protected, and about who leads the commission while it is under way.

What prosecutors allege

According to the DA's office:

• Bennett faces charges of intimidation of a witness or victim and conspiracy, both first-degree felonies, plus bribery and criminal use of a communication facility, both third-degree felonies.
• In August, the office's Gun Violence Task Force learned that a man jailed in a domestic violence-related attempted murder case was allegedly trying to intimidate a witness through prison calls and social media.
• Investigators say recorded calls captured Bennett reading the arrest report to that man and giving him the witness's full name. Prosecutors allege the man offered Bennett $500 for the paperwork.
• A second man is charged in the case. We are not naming him.

Bennett worked as a bail navigator at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, WHYY reported. Prosecutors said an audit log showed he had used the city's case management system, and that the materials could only have come from someone in his position. His bail was set at $1 million, and he remained in custody Tuesday evening, NBC10 reported.

What officials have said

• District Attorney Larry Krasner said intimidating witnesses is "a fundamental blow at the heart of the criminal justice system," WHYY reported. His office said Bennett's alleged actions don't reflect on CPOC or the Defender Association.
• The Defender Association called the allegations "exceptionally serious" and said Bennett is entitled to due process. It said it is moving to end his employment under its administrative and union procedures, WHYY reported.
• CPOC said it recognizes "the seriousness of this matter," won't comment on allegations under investigation, and will take steps to protect confidential information, KYW reported. Bennett is on leave from the commission, NBC10 reported.
• 4th District Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., whom NBC10 described as the leader of CPOC's staffing effort, called the allegations "very troubling."

Background

Bennett became CPOC's chair in 2024 after the original chair resigned, KYW reported. Only six of the commission's nine seats are filled, the station said. WHYY reported that Bennett was acquitted in 2019 of a murder he had been imprisoned for since 2006, after representing himself in two trials.

What our records add

We found no bill this term in our records that deals with CPOC's membership or leadership. No hearing on the commission is on our meetings calendar. The closest Council business is about the Defender Association's funding. Earlier this week we reported that public defenders say immigration cases are outrunning their $950,000 city contract.

Council has also been pressing other oversight questions this fall. Its Committee on Legislative Oversight is meeting today on medical care in the city's jails under Resolution 260778.

What's next

• The criminal case. The DA's office hasn't announced the next court date. Bennett is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
• The commission. Neither CPOC nor the city has said who will lead the commission while Bennett is on leave, or whether the three empty seats will be filled.
• Council. Council next meets Oct. 29. Any action on CPOC would appear on our calendar and the agenda.