Civil Society/Law Enforcement/Overview
Law Enforcement in Philadelphia provides the very best protection and service that money can buy. Unfortunately, the majority of Philadelphians can't cut such checks. So they have to make do with whatever's left, which is typically late to arrive, uninterested in doing anything more than taking down a report, and if you're very lucky they won't shoot your dog before they leave. Almost since its inception, the Philadelphia Police Department has been marked with scandal, corruption, and controversy. Corruption in their narcotics division has led to the reversal of hundreds of convictions. Philly police officers have been caught selling heroin while in uniform, beating suspects who wouldn't supply them the drugs to sell, and even for using the credit cards of inmates in detention to fund casino nights and exotic dancers.
All of that is recent history. All of it is true. And all of it happened in a world without supernatural forces beyond their ken pulling their strings from behind a veil of eldritch power and dread secrecy.
In the real world, all cops are bastards. In the World of Darkness, that would be a compliment.
With all that said, there are those who join the force with the hope of creating positive change. Turning in the dirty cops, making clean busts, improving life for their community and its citizens. They are few and far between, and rarely long for the force. Such individuals face a constant uphill battle, a relentless unmerciful slog against a strong headwind of community mistrust, governmental neglect, and deeply entrenched white supremacy and corruption.
Philadelphia has many street gangs. One of them wears the badge.