Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey Speaks at Gwynedd-Mercy College's 63^rd Commencement

Gwynedd-Mercy College’s 63^rd commencement was highlighted by a keynote address from Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey. During his distinguished 44-year career, Ramsey has maintained his commitment to valuing diversity and building community—two of the college’s central themes.

Ramsey has won numerous humanitarian awards since acquiring the helm of the Philadelphia Police Department in 2008. In 2009, he was selected to receive the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Keys & Sword Award, which recognizes faith, selfless service and personal sacrifice, among other traits. His policing strategies have focused on uniform patrol, organizational accountability and evidence-based policing initiatives, netting a 14 percent reduction in violent city crime.

Prior to his work in Philadelphia, Ramsey was the chief of police for the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. He handled high-level investigations of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001 Anthrax Attacks and the 2002 D.C. Sniper Case. Ramsey’s dedication of service to local neighborhoods in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. has also garnered him several civic engagement awards.

Ramsey has been a strong advocate of adult learning, securing his undergraduate and graduate degrees as a nontraditional student. He earned both from Lewis University in Romeoville Illinois, his home state.