5 cops fired by Ramsey; FOP is irate

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey dismissed five police officers yesterday for alleged offenses ranging from making threats and using racial epithets to burglary.

Among them is William Thrasher, a 22nd District cop who caught heat after an article written by a Temple University student quoted him using racial epithets to describe black residents of the district he patroled.

Ramsey said that he won't accept inappropriate behavior from any officer in the department.

"That's the kind of conduct that won't be tolerated," he said.

"The majority of officers do well. . . . Their good work is tainted by the actions of these police officers."

Rochelle Bilal, head of the Guardian Civic League, an organization of black Philadelphia police officers, agreed.

"I think the commissioner did exactly what he was supposed to do to send a message," said Bilal, who had been one of the more vocal critics calling for Thrasher's dismissal.

But John McGrody, vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, was displeased, saying that the punishment was too swift and too severe.

"We're extremely concerned," he said. "This is the second time in a year there's been a mass firing. There was no investigation whatsoever and that infuriates us."

The FOP has filed grievances on behalf of all the officers and has provided them legal representation, he said.

Thrasher, 22, had been put on desk duty after the article written by Temple student Shannon McDonald quoted him likening black people in his district to animals and calling their problems "typical n---- s---," or "TNS," during a ride-along with the student Jan. 30.

Christopher Harper, an associate journalism professor who edited the article, stood by McDonald.

"We discovered a story and we made the story public and the Police Department took the action that it deemed appropriate," he said.

But he indicated that the situation was regrettable.

"I'm sorry to see a police officer dismissed," he said. "I don't think he represented the police in the 22nd District."

Three other incidents led to four more officers' dismissals:

* On March 13, Officers Anthony Ferriola and Donald Swan responded to a disturbance inside Audenried High School, at 3301 Tasker St. Police allege that the officers used racial epithets toward students.

* While off-duty on Sept. 21, 2008, Officer John Safarowicz, assigned to the 39th District, at 22nd and Hunting Park Avenue, forced his way into the home of a neighbor, on Merrick Street. Police allege that he assaulted the people inside. He faces charges of burglary, criminal trespass, terroristic threats and related offenses.

* Two days earlier, Sgt. Paul Seeger, assigned to the 25th District, at 3901 Whitaker Ave., was arrested after police responded to a call of a domestic dispute at his home. Seeger was off duty when, police allege, he threatened the uniformed cops, from the 7th District in the Northeast. He's been charged with making terroristic threats and with disorderly conduct. *