Philadelphia Police Department logo on the passenger side of the vehicle on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. Read more TYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer

by Jesse Bunch Published Nov. 26, 2025, 2:12 p.m. ET

The Philadelphia Police Department is forming an “auxiliary” unit that may be ready as early as next year, according to a department spokesperson, adding to its ranks volunteer members who will assist officers at large public gatherings.

Auxiliary police will not carry weapons and will not be assigned typical law enforcement duties, according to Sgt. Eric Gripp, a department spokesperson. They will not be authorized to make arrests.

But the department wants the unit to act as a link between the public and police, participating in community engagement and, according to Gripp, ser

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