2 more Philly officers charged in drug heist amid reform push to rein in corruption on force

2 more Philly officers arrested amid reform push

PHILADELPHIA — Authorities say two uniformed Philadelphia police officers robbed a supposed drug dealer of 20 pounds of marijuana and $3,000 in cash in what proved to be an undercover sting.

The arrests of Officers Sean Alivera and Christopher Luciano were the latest in an embarrassing series of in-house arrests for the city’s police department. With the arrests Monday, at least seven Philadelphia officers have been accused or convicted in the past year of trying to rob drug dealers, sometimes in violent home invasions. An eighth is charged with stealing $825 from a tavern.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey wants to raise eligibility requirements for the 6,600-member force, to require that applicants be at least 21 and have two years of college credit and driving experience.