Philadelphia police watchdog suspends commissioner

Philadelphia's police watchdog this week suspended commissioner Rosaura Thomas as it investigates allegations of misconduct.

Why it matters: The Citizens Police Oversight Commission has been racked by infighting since it formed two years ago, and is in the midst of a leadership transition .

Driving the news: The commission didn't detail the allegations but said in a statement that the action was "in the best interest of the Commission and the community we serve."

The other side: Thomas tells Axios she believes she's being suspended as retribution for being a "whistleblower" in an investigation into allegations that a citizen leveled at the husband of CPOC outreach director Taleah Grimmage.

Catch up quick: In May, CPOC asked city lawmakers to grant them the power to remove commissioners. The move came after Thomas was accused of leaking confidential information to someone outside the agency.

• Under recent changes to city law, commissioners accused of "misconduct" can be suspended by CPOC for up to 90 days, then removed "for cause" after a public hearing.

What they're saying: Thomas tells Axios she wasn't informed of what specifically she's accused of leaking.

• She believes CPOC is investigating whether she publicly shared "malicious" emails that she says other CPOC staffers sent about a woman who accused Grimmage's husband of assault.

CPOC executive director Tonya McClary says the agency has "reasonable grounds" for suspending Thomas, and tells Axios the commissioner was given ample opportunities to learn of the evidence against her.

• Chair Hassan Bennet tells Axios he cannot address Thomas' claims while there's an open investigation.

Zoom in: Thomas believes she was suspended after writing a letter to the Office of Inspector General about a confrontation she says she witnessed between a woman and Grimmage's husband following a town hall meeting.

• Thomas says she saw Grimmage's husband trying to grab the woman's phone and heard her shout for him to keep his hands off of her.
• Grimmage and OIG didn't respond to requests for comment, and CPOC's attorney said in November that OIG investigated and there was "no evidence of misconduct" by the husband.

What we're watching: CPOC says it will decide at a later date whether Thomas should be permanently removed or reinstated.

• Thomas says she doesn't know how she can work "in good conscience" with commissioners if her suspension is lifted, but she plans to fight to clear her name.