A Philadelphia Police officer was arrested after she allegedly encouraged and participated in several fights between her teen children and other minors.
Investigators say Tamika Gross, a 35-year-old Philadelphia Police officer in the 16th District, was involved in several altercations between January of 2012 and October of 2013.
The first incident took place on January 25, 2012, according to investigators. Police say Gross walked with her 18-year-old son to the 900 block of Marcella Street and demanded that he fight a 16-year-old boy who lived on the block.
Several fights broke out on the street between several groups of teen boys shortly after and police were called to the scene. Investigators say numerous 911 calls reporting the fight were made and one radio call reported that there was a riot on the street and that an “officer needed assistance.” Investigators later determined that the officer in need of assistance was Gross.
Gross was allegedly involved in another fight on March 16, 2012. Investigators say a 13-year-old girl and her 17-year-old sister were walking near Loretto Avenue and Sanger Street. Suddenly, police say, Gross pulled up in a car and her teen daughter jumped out.
The daughter then allegedly began punching both girls in the face as Gross encouraged her to fight. The victims told police that Gross kept screaming during the fight that she was an off-duty police officer and that no one would get arrested.
Finally, police say Gross was involved in another fight on October 23, 2013. Gross and her daughter allegedly approached a 14-year-old girl near Lincoln High School. Police say Gross’ daughter and the girl were involved in an argument at the school earlier that day.
The daughter allegedly challenged the girl to a fight as Gross encouraged her. Police say Gross was captured on cellphone video standing in the crowd and watching the brawl. The 14-year-old girl told police that Gross also punched her twice in the eye before the fight ended.
Gross is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of minors, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. She turned herself In to Internal Affairs Tuesday morning.
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Gross is also facing a 30-day suspension with intent to dismiss.
"That kind of thuggish behavior just simply cannot be tolerated," said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey. "That's exactly what it was, and she is paying the price."
NBC10 tried to reach out to Gross' family for comment but their last listed phone number was disconnected.
