Philadelphia Police Officer Charged for False Report
PHILADELPHIA (January 31, 2020) — Following an investigation and arrest by the Philadelphia Police Department Internal Affairs Division, the District Attorney’s Office (DAO) has charged Philadelphia Police Officer Keith White (DOB: 9/11/1984) of Warminster, Pa., for assaulting an individual and presenting false statements about their arrest.
The charges stem from an incident and arrest that occurred at approximately 9:41 p.m. near the 200 block of East Loudon Street on April 13, 2018. Officer White, then assigned to the East Detective Division, signed a written statement alleging that during the course of a pursuit and arrest for selling narcotics, he had been struck in the mouth by the arrestee, resulting in injuries including bleeding and damage to his teeth.
Based on Officer White’s statement, the defendant was arrested and charged by the DAO with Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, and Reckless Endangerment.
However, Officer White’s statement was later contradicted by video surveillance, which showed that during the course of chasing the defendant on foot, White fell without being struck and appeared to have hit his face on the sidewalk — which might have resulted in the injuries he falsely attributed to being assaulted by the defendant. Video footage further showed that the defendant was lying on the ground and did not physically resist when Officer White handcuffed him.
Based on this video evidence, the DAO withdrew the assault charges against the defendant on April 30, 2018, at his preliminary hearing.
A Philadelphia Police Internal Affairs and DAO Special Investigations Unit probe of the April 2018 incident and Officer White’s actions culminated in a warrant issued for his arrest this week. He has been charged with Unsworn Falsification to Authorities (M2); False Reports to Law Enforcement Authorities, Intent to Implicate Another (M2); Tampering with Public Records or Information (M2); and Official Oppression (M2).
“I thank the Philadelphia Police Internal Affairs Division and our Special Investigations Unit for pursuing justice on behalf of the public. None of us, including those who wear a badge or are installed in the highest offices of government, are above the law,” District Attorney Larry Krasner said. “When the system has integrity, and is able to earn the trust of the public — including members of the public who might have reason to fear government — then we are all safer. I look forward to ongoing and productive conversations with our partners in the criminal justice system, including with the incoming Police Commissioner, about how to improve integrity in our institutions and to build trust with communities throughout Philadelphia.”
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million citizens of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecution of over 40,000 criminal cases annually.
