In this episode of Transition Watch (which I just came up with a few seconds ago) we'll be meeting new commissioner, Charles Ramsey. The clips that I've chosen are intended to give you a little insight into Ramsey's style, his way with the media and some unedited answers to specific policy questions.
I've also included a few clips of mayor-elect Nutter so that we can get to know him a little better too. I'll put a few clips here and the rest after the jump.
In the first clip, newly appointed Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey answers questions about his opinion on the "stop and frisk" tactic that became such a flash point during the election.
In response to a question about whether he would look inside the police department for his top level appointees or go outside, newly appointed police commissioner Charles Ramsey discusses his strategy and near term plans.
Click "Continue Reading" to see the rest of the clips.
One reporter asked a particularly pointed question about criticism that new police commissioner Charles Ramsey had come under during his previous stint in Washington DC, especially in decisions he made that ran afoul of the police unions in that city.
One difficulty that the new commissioner will face is the lack of flexibility that he will have in making several high level appointments. Mayor-elect Michael Nutter answers questions about changing the charter to give the commissioner broader powers.
During the Democratic primary campaign, then-candidate Nutter spoke often about declaring a "crime emergency" on day one of his administration. How does this plan fit in with the appointment of his new commissioner?
Many people often speak of the Philadelphia Police Department's resistance to bringing in people from outside of the department to take leadership roles. One reporter asks mayor-elect Nutter if he is worried about the reaction, or the affect on morale, that this appointment will have.
Michael Nutter answers questions during his press conference to announce the next police commissioner of Philadelphia. These clips give examples of how mayor-elect Nutter's sarcastic side can come out when dealing with the media.