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Chief Timoney Fact Sheet
New York police officer: 1969-1996
Philadelphia Chief of Police: 1998-2002
Miami Chief of Police: 2003-Present
Republican National Convention (RNC) Related Points:
Timoney and his Philadelphia police force were responsible for over 400 arrests during the RNC as well as numerous civil rights violations
Despite vigorous prosecution of hundreds of activists over several years time, more than 95% of the RNC cases were thrown out in court
Timoney is directly responsible for the continued prosecution of three young men (the Timoney 3) who have yet to go to trial more than three years after the RNC. Most of their charges were thrown out early on, but later appealed at the suggestion of Timoney
Timoney worked with state police in order to get around a city anti-infiltration ordinance to spy on activists and gather intelligence to make arrests
Timoney used other city agencies, such as the department of "licensing & inspection" to harass and fine activists
Timoney used heavy surveillance of activists including videotaping and photographing known organizers and activist meeting spaces, but denied such actions until forced to admit it
Timoney used preemptive raids of activist spaces (three in Philadelphia) to seize free speech material-signs, banners, leaflets, puppets, etc.-and to arrest people
Timoney and his force used bail hearings to demonize activists which resulted in excessively high bails-averaging $30,000 but including some at $500,000 and $1 million
Timoney was the star witness in an RNC felony trial in which activist Matt Berghs was accused of tripping a police officer with a long stick. Despite Timoney's testimony, a jury acquitted Berghs of all charges. Additionally, the trial revealed that not only was Berghs unlawfully arrested, but he was beaten in the process
The city of Philadelphia acquired an insurance policy covering itself and Timoney's police department for liability of a host of civil rights violations including, "false arrest," "assault," and "malicious prosecution"
Timoney and his force avoided the use of tear gas and rubber bullets but was not afraid to violently assault activists
Timoney used surveillance and infiltration to target known organizers and communications people for arrest regardless of their actions
Timoney used buzzwords like "anarchists," "violence," and "property destruction" to create a climate of public fear of activists in an attempt to justify excessive police force and mass arrests
The flagrant abuse of people's civil rights by Timoney and his police force prompted numerous civil suits
FOR FURTHER GENERAL INFORMATION: www.r2klegal.org
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