Philadelphia Police Officer Arrested Over Fights With Children

On Tuesday afternoon, Philadelphia Police announced the arrest of 35-year-old police officer Tamika Gross, the result of an investigation by the District Attorney’s office and the Internal Affairs Bureau.

According to a statement by the DA’s office, Gross “accompanied, encouraged, and participated in” fights between her teenage kids and other children.

From that statement:

The first of these fights took place on January 25, 2012, when Gross walked with her 18-year-old son to the 900 block of Marcella Street. Gross then demanded that her son and a 16-year-old boy who lived on the block fight.

Shortly after that fights broke out on the block between several groups of young men, and police were called to respond to the scene. Numerous calls were made to 9-1-1 about the fight, and one radio call reported that there was a riot on the street and that an “officer needed assistance,” it was determined that the officer in need of assistance was P/O Tamika Gross.

The statement details similar incidents in March 2012 and October 2013, including one where Gross’ daughter allegedly jumped out of the car being driven by Gross and began punching two girls in the face “while Gross encouraged her daughter to fight.”

During another fight, Gross is accused of punching a girl in the eye twice. That fight was captured on video, according to the statement.

Gross, a seven-year veteran of the police force, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of minors, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey has suspended her for 30 days with the intent to dismiss.