District Attorney Krasner Announces Protest-Related Charges Against SEPTA Police Sergeant
By: Philadelphia Dao
Tags: Criminal Justice Reform, Philadelphia, Police Accountability, Black Lives Matter, Press Release

CONTACT:

Jane Roh, 215–686–8711, jane.roh@phila.gov

PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 22, 2020) — District Attorney Larry Krasner on Thursday announced Aggravated Assault and related charges against SEPTA Police Sgt. Matthew Sinkiewicz (DOB: 12/13/1983) of Bensalem, Pa., for his role in an incident involving two protesters at the site of the Frank Rizzo statute during the Black Lives Matter mass uprisings.

Sinkiewicz is alleged to have struck multiple times, without provocation, two protesters on the head and body with his baton during an anti-racism protest outside of the Municipal Services Building (MSB) on Saturday, May 30th. Sinkiewicz was among the law enforcement officers stationed in front of the MSB near the Frank Rizzo statue, which has since been removed by the City of Philadelphia.

Both protesters who were allegedly struck by Sinkiewicz sustained injuries, including lacerations that required treatment at a hospital.

In addition, paperwork submitted by Sinkiewicz following this incident was found to not accurately reflect what transpired during his interaction with the two protesters.

Following an investigation by the SEPTA Transit Police Department, Sinkiewicz was arrested and charged on Thursday with two counts each of Aggravated Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury (F1), Aggravated Assault With a Deadly Weapon (F2), Simple Assault (M1), Recklessly Endangering Another Person (M2), Unsworn Falsification to Authorities (M2), and Official Oppression (M2).

“The civil disorder that occurred in Philadelphia on May 30 did not take away the responsibility of our member to follow the Transit Police rules and expectations for professional conduct,” SEPTA Police Chief Thomas J. Nestel III said. “Our response to resistance must be appropriate, and when it is not, the member will be held responsible.”

“Justice has to be rooted in equal accountability. I want to thank the SEPTA Transit Police for their work on this investigation into one of their own officers. In order to earn the trust of the public, law enforcement must take an even-handed approach in applying justice, always,” District Attorney Krasner said. “We must also acknowledge that uniformed officers of the law have a higher duty to build and earn trust with the public they are tasked to protect and serve. As a reminder, the charges filed against Sgt. Sinkiewicz represent allegations only, unless or until they are proven in a court of law.”

This case will be prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit. Members of the public may submit complaints about possible official misconduct including by law enforcement to the Special Investigations Unit hotline: 215–686–9608.

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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million citizens of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually.