Philadelphia police officer charged after being shot

WPVI logo
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
VIDEO: Philadelphia police officer charged after being shot
A Philadelphia police officer was officially charged today with criminal conspiracy and obstruction, among other things.

OVERBROOK PARK (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia police officer was officially charged today with criminal conspiracy and obstruction, among other things.

The charges against 48-year-old Robert Penn stem from an incident in which Penn was shot in Overbrook Park in March 2014.

According to authorities, Penn was shot while off-duty as he arrived home after completing his shift.

Prosecutors say Penn asked his former brother-in-law Charles Mays, who is also charged, to call the Philadelphia Daily News.

Investigators claim Penn paid Mays to call the newspaper and anonymously implicate Penn's current wife as having involvement in the shooting.

Penn surrendered to the Internal Affairs division.

Penn, a 25 year veteran of the force, is now charged with Criminal Solicitation-False Reports, Criminal Conspiracy, and Obstructing Administration of Law.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey has suspended Robert Penn for thirty days with the intent to dismiss.

Police are still investigating the case.