Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Frank Rizzo

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 26, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Frank Rizzo made an impact.

Frank Rizzo was an American police officer and politician, serving as Philadelphia's Police Commissioner (1967-1971) and Mayor (1972-1980). A lifelong Democrat, he switched to the Republican Party in 1986. His career was marked by a tough-on-crime stance and strong personality, and he was a controversial figure admired by some for his perceived strength and criticized by others for alleged civil rights abuses and authoritarian tendencies.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1943: Rizzo Joins Philadelphia Police Department

In 1943, Frank Rizzo joined the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) and rose through the ranks.

1966: Decline in Black Police Officer Hires Begins

From 1966 to 1970, the percentage of Black police officers hired in Philadelphia declined from 27.5% to 7.7% during Rizzo's tenure. In 1967 the overall proportion of Black Philadelphia police officers was 21%.

1967: Rizzo Becomes Police Commissioner

In 1967, Frank Rizzo became the commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD). He held this position until 1971.

1967: Proportion of Black Police Officers

In 1967, the overall proportion of Black Philadelphia police officers was 21%, but declined during Rizzo's tenure.

1968: Rizzo's Department had largest percentages of black officers

In 1968, during Frank Rizzo's tenure as deputy commissioner, the Philadelphia Police Department had one of the largest percentages of Black officers among large U.S. police departments, with 20%.

1970: Black Police Officer Hiring Declines Further

November 1971: Rizzo Defeats Longstreth in Mayoral Election

In November 1971, Frank Rizzo, running as a Democrat, defeated Thacher Longstreth in the mayoral election.

1971: Rizzo Runs for Mayor

In 1971, Frank Rizzo ran for mayor, facing Democratic mayoral candidates Rep. William J. Green III, State Rep. Hardy Williams, and former city councilman David Cohen. Rizzo defeated Green and Williams in the Democratic primary.

1971: Rizzo Resigns as Commissioner

In 1971, Frank Rizzo resigned as commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department to run for mayor.

1971: Rizzo Seeks Mayor's Office

In 1971, Frank Rizzo sought the mayor's office, rising to public prominence as police commissioner before running for election.

1971: Rizzo Ends Time as Police Commissioner

In 1971, Frank Rizzo's time as the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) commissioner came to an end. He held this position since 1967.

1971: Rizzo's Support in Nix Jr.'s Election

In 1971, Robert N. C. Nix Jr. was elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court with Frank Rizzo's support.

1971: Decline in Proportion of Black Police Officers

In 1971, the overall proportion of Black Philadelphia police officers had declined to 18% from 21% in 1967.

1972: Rizzo Becomes Mayor of Philadelphia

In 1972, Frank Rizzo became the mayor of Philadelphia. He served in this role until 1980.

1972: Rizzo Supports Nixon's Reelection

In 1972, Frank Rizzo supported the reelection campaign of Republican president Richard Nixon, praising him as "the greatest president this country [has] ever had," which alienated many of his supporters in the Democratic Party.

1975: Rizzo Campaigns on Holding the Line on Taxes

In 1975, Frank Rizzo campaigned for his second mayoral term under the slogan, "He held the line on taxes". Soon after the election, he persuaded City Council to increase the city's wage tax.

1975: Rizzo Defeats Opponents in Election

In 1975, Frank Rizzo defeated State Senator Louis G. Hill in the Democratic primary, and then defeated Charles Bowser and Thomas M. Foglietta in the November election.

1975: Rizzo Re-elected

In 1975, Frank Rizzo was re-elected, continuing his term as mayor of Philadelphia.

1978: Charter Change Question on Ballot

In 1978, Frank Rizzo persuaded the Philadelphia City Council to place a charter change question on the ballot that would have allowed him to run for a third consecutive term in 1979.

1979: Philadelphians Vote Against Charter Change

In 1979, Philadelphians voted two to one against the charter change, blocking Frank Rizzo from running for a third consecutive term.

1980: Rizzo Ends Time as Mayor

In 1980, Frank Rizzo's time as the mayor of Philadelphia came to an end. He served in this role since 1972.

1983: Rizzo Serves as Security Consultant

Between 1983 and 1986, Frank Rizzo served as a security consultant at the Philadelphia Gas Works.

1983: Rizzo Unsuccessfully Runs for Mayor

In 1983, Frank Rizzo unsuccessfully ran for another term as mayor of Philadelphia after being barred from a third consecutive term.

1983: Unsuccessful Mayoral Run

In 1983, Frank Rizzo unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for mayor, ultimately losing to Wilson Goode, who then won the mayoral election.

1986: Rizzo Ends Time as Security Consultant

Between 1983 and 1986, Frank Rizzo served as a security consultant at the Philadelphia Gas Works.

1986: Rizzo Switches to the Republican Party

In 1986, Frank Rizzo switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. He campaigned as a Republican for the final five years of his life.

1987: Rizzo Unsuccessfully Runs for Mayor Again

In 1987, Frank Rizzo unsuccessfully ran for another term as mayor of Philadelphia, continuing his attempts to regain office.

1987: Lost Mayoral Election

In 1987, Frank Rizzo, now a Republican, ran in the mayoral election but was defeated by Wilson Goode with a vote share of 49% to 51%.

July 16, 1991: Death of Frank Rizzo

On July 16, 1991, Frank Rizzo died during his campaign for mayor. He had switched to the Republican Party in 1986 and campaigned as a Republican for the final five years of his life.

1991: Won Republican Primary

In 1991, Frank Rizzo decided to run for mayor again and won the Republican primary against Ronald D. Castille, the former Philadelphia District Attorney.