PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia police officer has been arrested for allegedly making false statements under oath about a gun arrest he made last April.
Prosecutors say Daniel Levitt, a 12-year Philadelphia police veteran, is facing charges for perjury, unsworn false statements, and official oppression.
Assistant District Attorney Vincent Corrigan said that in April, Levitt took part in stopping a van for running a stop sign.
Corrigan said officers conducted a search of the vehicle. During the search, Levitt allegedly claimed that he saw a gun hanging out of a bag. A passenger was then arrested.
“There is clear evidence that the bag that he claimed to have recovered the gun from was, in fact, zipped,” Corrigan said.
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“There was no legal basis for conducting the search at all. As a result of the investigation, the officer then filled out police paperwork which was clearly false, and he then testified under oath at a preliminary hearing for the gentleman who was arrested, which had him held for court and proceeding to trial. That gentleman had no record at all and had never been arrested in Philadelphia.”
Officials say the gun was legally purchased.
Levitt has been suspended for 30 days with the intent to dismiss.
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“It never feels good to learn that one of our own has been charged with a crime,” said Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw in a statement.
“However, it is imperative that police officers are held to a higher standard and that they discharge their duties with honor and integrity in order to effectively uphold their oath of service.”
“This officer is entitled to due process like any other citizen accused of a crime,” said Fraternal Order of Police No. 5 President John McNesby, also in a statement.
“The FOP will vigorously defend the officer against these baseless charges. We look forward to the day that this officer is cleared of all charges and put back on street doing the job he loves, keeping his city safe.”
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