'Sad Day,' Says Ramsey, As More Corruption Charges Filed Against Philly Cops
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — New charges have been filed against one allegedly corrupt Philadelphia cop, and an alleged partner in crime has also been charged.
This is another blow to the Philadelphia Police Department, already reeling from repeated allegations of corruption, acts of admitted corruption, and concerns about police shootings.
Garcia was arrested last year on charges he was not just a cop but also a heroin dealer, allegedly while in uniform and working out of his patrol car (see previous story).
Now, a second officer -- Sydemy Joanis -- has been charged, the indictment unsealed today charging both Joanis and Garcia and Joanis with setting up and robbing drug dealers while on the job, using actual and threatened force.
Less than two weeks ago, in a separate case, veteran narcotics officer Jeffrey Walker was charged, and fired. It's alleged that he planted drugs on a drug dealer, made an arrest, then stole a house key and went to the target's home, where he stole approximately $15,000 (see related story).
This afternoon, Philadelphia police commissioner Charles Ramsey called it a sad day for the department -- but also, in a sense, a good day.
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"It's a good day for the hard-working, honest men and women of the Philadelphia Police Department, and it's a good day for the citizens of this great city, because they deserve the very best and they don't deserve people like this to be members of our department," the commissioner said.
Both former officers are in custody and awaiting preliminary arraignment in this case.
