Richard Costello

Infobox President

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name = Rich Costello
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order = President - Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 5
term_start = October 1988
term_end = October 2002
predecessor = Bob Hurst
successor = Robert Eddis
constituency = Police Officers
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birth_date = birth date|1951|4|4|mf=y
birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
death_date =
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residence = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
occupation = Police Officer
religion = Catholic


website = [http://www.RichCostello.com www.RichCostello.com]
footnotes =

Captain Richard (Rich) Barry Costello (born April 4th, 1951) is a 34 year Philadelphia police veteran and the former President of the Philadelphia Lodge of the FOP. He is currently challenging incumbent John Perzel in Pennsylvania's 172nd Legislative District in Northeast Philadelphia.

Early Years

Rich Costello was born in Northeast Philadelphia to an Irish-Catholic family. He attended Holy Ghost Preparatory School followed by St. Joseph's University. Costello earned his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, graduating cum laude in May 1973.

Police Service

Following graduation Costello joined the Philadelphia Police Academy and graduated in September 1973.

hot in the Line of Duty

On the night of December 11, 1973 Costello dropped his partner off at 7:30 PM to guard the Faith Baptist Church in the Strawberry Mansion section of Philadelphia. Fifteen minutes later Costello was driving his patrol car east on Cumberland St past the intersection of 32nd St when, without warning, a gunman opened fire from the sidewalk. Costello was struck twice in the head with one bullet remaining permanently lodged behind his right ear.

Costello survived and spent two years recovering from his wounds but was able to successfully rejoin the force.

Both the diligent police response and public outcry kept Costello's case in the headlines. Despite a $10,000 reward from the FOP and a $5,000 reward from the Philadelphia Daily News no one came forward with information and the case remains unsolved.

Rise in the FOP

In 1978 Costello joined the FOP as Unit Director after percieving wrong doing in the Union's healthcare benefits sector. After rising to Assisstant Administrator of First Dental & Prescription Plan in 1982, Costello uncovered the Kravitz Corruption Scandal.

Dr. Charles Kravitz was the director of American Health Programs (AHP) which was given contracts by the FOP. Kravitz had been bribing top FOP officials to continue contracting out business to his company. After the scandal was uncovered Kravitz was charged and sentenced to Federal prison.

Having established himself as a credible reformer, Costello was made Recording Secretary in 1984- a position he held until 1988. In October 1988 Bob Hurst stepped down as President and Costello was elected to his first term as FOP president which lasted until 1990. After this he served as Chairman of Law Enforcement Health Benefits until 1994, when he was elected to his second term as FOP president.

In 2002 after 8 more years as president of the FOP Costello decided not to seek re-election, citing his desire to allow a new generation to move up. He was succeeded by Robert Eddis in October 2002.

Richard Costello's loyalty to individual police officers was known, and admired, by members of the Philadelphia Police Department. Through arguing the position of the individual police officer and never compromising the values they stood for, Costello was able to serve the City of Philadelphia as President of the Fraternal Order of Police. [ "Larry Kane's Philadelphia" by Larry Kane (173)]

Abu Jamal Criticism

During his tenure as FOP President Costello was an outspoken critic of Mumia Abu Jamal and his supporters. Abu Jamal was convicted of the 1981 murder of officer Daniel Faulkner. This has led Costello to be featured on radio programs such as Michael Smerconish's as well as televised debates. Known for his gift for extemporaneous speech, Costello has landed powerful blows on Abu Jamal and his supporters. During one televised debate he made use of a Bible passage to describe Abu Jamal and his followers as "a liar, the father of lies, and a murderer from the beginning."

Maureen Faulkner, the wife of the fallen officer, described Costello as "a cop who took a bullet in the head and cowers in front of no one" in her book "Murdered By Mumia" (cowritten by Smerconish).

Entry Into Politics

2008 Primary

In January 2008 Costello decided to challenge long-time Philadelphia Republican Boss, and fomer House Speaker, John M. Perzel. Costello cited Perzel's many corruption scandals and his refusal to address the problems the Northeast faces with drugs and gun crime as his primary motivation for running. Perzel is heavily backed by the NRA and has refused to enact regulations on guns consistent with the City's upsurge in violence.

Costello handily won the Democratic Primary against challenger Tim Kearney. Kearney had previously challenged Perzel in 2004 and 2006. In a display of Perzel's concern about facing off against the forner top cop; members of both the Painter's Union and the PPA (both major supporters of Perzel) were seen handing out literature on behalf of Costello's opponent. Notably this included some stars of the A&E series Parking Wars. The ploy was not effective and Costello was victorious.

2008 General Election

The general election campaign is widely seen as the regions most contentious local race. The current investigation by Attorney General Tom Corbett into Perzel's office has called into question Perzel's character as well as hs possible culpability.