Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Frank Rizzo

Public opinion and media debates around Frank Rizzo—discover key moments of controversy.

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

1960: Rizzo Ranked as the Absolute Worst Mayor

In 1993, a survey limited only to mayors that were in office post-1960, ranked Frank Rizzo as the absolute worst.

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: Proportion of Black Police Officers

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

1968: Lawsuit Alleging Harassment of Hippies

In 1968, a lawsuit charged Frank Rizzo and the Fairmount Parks commission in a class action suit, alleging targeted harassment of "hippies" in Rittenhouse Square.

August 31, 1970: Raid on Black Panther Party Offices

On August 31, 1970, the Philadelphia Police Department, under Frank Rizzo, raided the Philadelphia offices of the Black Panther Party. Officers strip-searched arrested Black Panthers before cameras, and days later the charges were dropped for lack of evidence; the search was ruled illegal.

1970: Black Police Officer Hiring Declines Further

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.

1971: Rizzo Proclaims Whitman Park Will Never Be Built

In 1971, upon taking office, Mayor Frank Rizzo proclaimed that the Whitman Park public housing project would never be built.

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.

1973: Civil Rights Action Against Rizzo

In 1973, a civil rights action charged Frank Rizzo with assault and conspiracy against political protestors in activities related to his mayoral campaign.

1973: Allegations of Systemic Police Discrimination

In 1973, a police accountability group alleged Frank Rizzo's responsibility in systemic police discrimination and harassment of Philadelphia minority communities, seeking the establishment of a civilian oversight organization.

1977: Rendell Elected as District Attorney

In 1977, Rizzo opponents elected Edward G. Rendell as district attorney.

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.

1978: Campaign to Elect Anti-Rizzo Officials

In 1978, a campaign was organized to elect anti-Rizzo Democratic committee persons and elected officials in the primaries.

1978: First MOVE Incident

In 1978, during the first MOVE incident, Frank Rizzo evicted members of the group through armed police action. The event led to the death of officer James Ramp and injuries to other officers and firefighters. An unarmed MOVE member, Delbert Africa, was beaten by multiple officers and the incident was captured by the local news media.

1979: Rizzo Loses Whitman Park Court Battle

In 1979, Frank Rizzo lost in court over Whitman Park, with Judge Raymond J. Broderick citing racist motivations in blocking the project.

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 Vandalizes NBC Camera

In 1980, Frank Rizzo vandalized an NBC KYW-TV camera outside his house and offered to fight reporter Stan Bohrman, calling him names.

1993: Rizzo Ranked as Fifth-Worst Mayor

In 1993, a survey ranked Frank Rizzo as the fifth-worst American big-city mayor to serve between 1820 and 1993.

November 4, 2017: Statue Relocation Announced

On November 4, 2017, in the aftermath of the Unite the Right rally, Mayor Jim Kenney announced that the statue of Frank Rizzo would be moved to a new location, following public debate sparked by Councilwoman Helen Gym's comments on Twitter.

May 2020: Statue Vandalized

In May 2020, the statue of Frank Rizzo was vandalized during protests responding to the murder of George Floyd.

June 7, 2020: Mural Painted Over

On June 7, 2020, the mural portrait of Frank Rizzo, located at the Italian Market on Ninth Street in South Philadelphia, was painted over at the request of Mural Arts, a nonprofit organization.