In March 1998 , Philadelphia mayor Ed Rendell appointed Timoney as Philadelphia Police commissioner . Timoney served through the end of 2001 . His career marked a turnaround in Philadelphia 's increasing homicide rate but had controversy . Critics challenged his handling of protests during the 2000 Republican National Convention , particularly his use of undercover agents to infiltrate protest groups . Timoney testified under oath at the trial of Matthew Berghs , who was charged with aggravated assault , a felony , and misdemeanors simple assault , obstruction of justice , and recklessly endangering another person during the convention . Berghs was held in jail for three days on $ 50,000 bail . During the trial , Berghs ' attorney showed the jury photographs of five-day old bruises and scrapes he claimed showed that Berghs had been beaten by police officers . Both the arresting officer and Timoney denied there was violence during the arrest . Berghs , a slight 19-year old activist and Indiana University student , was accused of hitting a Philadelphia police officer , Thomas Donahue , with a seven-foot bamboo stick . The prosecution was unable to supply fingerprint evidence to support their claims and relied solely on eyewitness testimony from the officer and the commissioner . Timoney testified under oath on behalf of officer Donahue , claiming he witnessed the entire incident , but he was unable to convince the twelve-person jury that Berghs was guilty of anything . Berghs was acquitted
2000 Republican National Convention
2000 Republican National Convention
John Timoney (police officer)