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Kenney Taps Richard Ross As Philadelphia's Next Police Commissioner

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Mayor-elect Jim Kenney announced his appointment for police commissioner is First Deputy Commissioner Richard Ross.

Kenney said at a press conference, "This has been a badly kept secret during the course of this whole transition, but we really wanted to respect the process."

He continued, "It is my total and complete honor to introduce a person who is not only a stellar law enforcement professional, but a stellar person, and a stellar Philadelphian. I'm very, very proud to introduce our next police commissioner Richard Ross."

According to the Philadelphia Police Department, Ross joined the Philadelphia Police Department in April, 1989 and was appointed to the rank of Deputy Commissioner in August of 2005.

He was named First Deputy Commissioner in May 2008.

Deputy Ross also holds the civil service rank of Chief Inspector, according to Philadelphia Police.

Ross said of mayor-elect Jim Kenney, "I think my favorite part is we're just two regular guys. That's who we are and we're not ashamed to acknowledge that. We're from far ends of the city but I think we're very much alike, just come from humble beings and beginnings. I'm very happy to be able to work alongside him and his team in this city. We're just two people who love this city."

Current police commissioner, Charles Ramsey, announced he will retire effective January 7, 2016.

Ross has been with the Philadelphia Police Department for 26 years and like his predecessor Ramsey, he is a firm believer in community policing.

Ross said of Ramsey, "I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my boss Commissioner Charles Ramsey, who is arguably the biggest name in the business right now. He's been a friend and mentor to me and he's done some heavy lifting for this department, and this city. We are grateful to have had him and his service and I am thankful to have served under him for the last eight years."

He continued, "This is more about passing the baton. This is things that we've done successfully, we've had a modicum of success with, it's not about reinventing the wheel, it's just about building upon it and making the city a safer and better place."

Ross said he's a big fan of the foot patrols that have allowed officers to build relationships in the communities they police and he'll continue stop and frisk under the current guidelines that officers must have a reasonable suspicion to a make a stop.

"We constantly hammer home what the law is and that we continue to message out properly what we will not tolerate," Ross said. "Right now it's more about an announcement, not laying out specific plans but I assure you while working in collaboration with the mayor elect you'll be getting more than enough."

KYW Newsradio's Pat Loeb contributed to this report...

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