Rochelle Bilal is a lifelong Philadelphia resident, having grown up on Lawrence and Cumberland Streets in the northern part of the city. The teachings and example she set at home kept her on the right path, ultimately making her the first African-American woman to be elected and re-elected mayor in the 181-year history of the office.
Bilal ran as a Democrat for his second term as Mayor of Philadelphia and was successfully re-elected in the general election, facing Republican Mark Lavelle.
The Sheriff’s Office, with a budget of $26 million, oversees court security and prisoner transportation. Additionally, he manages the organized sales of seized and delinquent property.
Bilal’s first term began in 2020 when she was sworn in for a four-year term to lead the Philadelphia City and County Sheriff’s Office, becoming the first woman elected in the department’s history.
Over the course of four years, she oversaw the recovery of a record number of firearms from domestic abusers, conducted community food drives, and made significant contributions to the city. But the office has not been without its share of controversy.
Bilal grew up on Lawrence and Cumberland streets in the northern part of the city. Photo from Facebook by Rochelle Bilal
Bilal is an advocate for criminal justice reform and encourages community engagement and outreach in his office. As Sheriff, she also implemented policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and engagement among the department’s 400-plus employees.
Bilal grew up with his mother and six siblings
Bilal grew up with her mother, a part-time cook, and her six siblings, as her father left the family before she was born. They, like the neighborhood, have struggled to overcome poverty and a tense relationship between the police department and the community of color.
The tense relationship changed when the Guardian Civic League emerged, a community law enforcement oversight organization made up of more than 2,500 active and retired police officers in Philadelphia.
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Despite his hesitation at first, Bilal left his job at the post office and joined this institute after two of his friends joined him. This marked the beginning of her 27-year tenure in the force, where, as well as gaining experience, she gained a reputation for confronting a culture of discrimination.
Bilal served in units focused on sex crimes and drug trafficking, including the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), a joint task force with the FBI and DEA.
She spent time on patrol and teaching recruits at the Philadelphia Police Training Center, where she launched the Steer Straight Initiative, helping new police officers identify and avoid situations that could pose potential risks to their future law enforcement careers.
Bilal’s experience also includes her time as Director of Public Safety in Colwyn Borough, where she led the police and fire departments while developing a community outreach program for the municipal security department. A new four-year term awaits her.
