The incident involving the leased Ford Expedition occurred on August 10, 2024. The assigned deputy was out of town at the time and was unaware of the situation until returning home on August 13. Upon noticing the vehicle was missing, the deputy immediately reported it stolen to the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD). During the investigation, PPD informed the deputy that the vehicle had been recovered on August 10 following an accident.
The deputy promptly notified the Sheriff’s Office on the same day, and an internal report was completed and submitted to the Internal Affairs Unit. The Sheriff was later informed by the city’s Fleet Department that they had not been notified of the accident. In a meeting with Fleet on January 16, the Sheriff learned that no one within her chain of command had reported the incident to them.
Upon receiving this information, the Sheriff took immediate action and directed Internal Affairs to conduct a separate investigation into why the Fleet Department was not notified. That investigation is currently ongoing. As this matter is now under review by the Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Unit, we are unable to provide further comment at this time.
Key Advancements Made by the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Rochelle Bilal:
- Technology Overhaul – Implement modernized digital platforms for real estate transactions, case management, and internal financial controls.
- Policy & Procedural Reforms – Streamlined and updated protocols to ensure greater efficiency, compliance, and public accessibility.
- Financial Management Enhancements – Strengthened internal audits, reporting systems, and fiscal oversight to ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
- Operational Improvements – Increased transparency and accountability in Sheriff’s Sales and property auctions, addressing past inefficiencies with data-driven solutions.
The Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office remains fully committed to accountability, modernization, and best practices—contrary to the outdated information in the PICA resolution. We urge all stakeholders to assess the facts accurately and recognize the tangible progress and systemic improvements implemented under this administration.
In the coming weeks, the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office will send a detailed term report showing our progress from January 2020 to December 2023.
Related:
Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office Statement on No. 3 of 2025 Court Administrative Order
Sheriff’s Perspective ~ April 20th, Recorded Show
Sheriff’s Perspective ~ Sept 21st
Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office Regarding the Landlord and Tenant Office No Longer Serving Evictions
Sheriff Deputy Application ~ March 10th, 2025
The Sheriff’s Perspective
