Freeman for Sheriff, Philadelphia County

Foundation Statement

A new standard of accountability.

Our goal is to have a Sheriff's Office that faithfully and effectively performs its legal duties, and protects the interests of the public and the Office's personnel.

Our Purpose

The responsibilities of the office.

The responsibility of the office of sheriff includes courtroom security and the transport of prisoners. The office enforces and executes orders and process of the court and carries out sales of property under execution.

There must be competent management, adequate control, and financial discipline in the office of the sheriff.

The Foundation

The Freeman for Sheriff campaign is based on four pillars.

Accountability

Performance standards should be measurable and reported to the public in a timely manner.

  • Measurable performance standards for the office's core duties, reported to the public on a regular schedule
  • Clearly defined responsibilities and written operating procedures that hold regardless of changes in personnel
  • A public account of the issues identified, the steps taken, and how progress will be measured

Reform

There are many opportunities for the modernization of outdated systems.

  • Sheriff sales conducted under clear, consistent procedures
  • Timely processing of deeds and court records
  • Secure court facilities and safe, reliable transportation
  • Modern, dependable records management

Sustainability

Public institutions are better served with long-range operational plans and responsible budgeting.

  • Long-range operational plans for the office
  • Responsible budgeting, adequate controls, and financial discipline
  • Modern systems and equipment that improve productivity and service to the public
  • Leadership continuity, so the office's work does not depend on who holds which position

Transparency

Public access to the operational information of public institutions should be improved.

  • Better public access to how the office operates
  • Strong financial controls and administrative oversight of recordkeeping
  • Timely public reporting of results, including progress on the commitments made

Why Reform Matters

Sheriff sales are under scrutiny.

Philadelphia Sheriff's sales have come under scrutiny due to recent court proceedings and investigative journalism.

In October 2026, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on an internal audit that discovered approximately $20 million in Sheriff's sale proceeds, including money owed to the city, that had not been paid out.1 A senior Sheriff's Office official testified that the funds are now being distributed.2

Court proceedings before Judge Paula Patrick have addressed the failure to issue deeds in a timely manner, the lack of financial records, and the court's orders to provide oversight.1

At an October 29 contempt hearing, counsel for the Sheriff's Office acknowledged there were grounds for a finding of contempt, but asked the court not to order a forensic accounting of the Sheriff's Office because the procedures of the Sheriff's Office had been improved.2

There are many important considerations that come with these kinds of changes. There are questions about financial controls and the administrative oversight of recordkeeping. There are questions about the trust and confidence of the people we serve. Leadership continuity is another important area. In September 2026, Undersheriff George Gossett Jr. resigned about three months after his appointment as part of an administrative restructuring.3 Public institutions need to define their responsibilities and devise operating procedures to control their functions regardless of changes in personnel.

There are many ways that public institutions can be reformed: in the way that Sheriff sales are conducted; in the processing of deeds and court records; in the securing of court facilities and the transportation of court personnel; and in records management. There are many opportunities for the modernization of outdated systems. Public institutions would be better served with long-range operational plans and responsible budgeting. Modern systems and equipment should be acquired to enhance productivity and allow for better service to the public. Public access to the operational information of public institutions should be improved. Performance standards should be measurable and reported to the public in a timely manner.

Measuring progress. Not every problem can be fixed in 100 days. In the meantime, the community should be able to see the issues the candidate has identified, the steps the candidate has taken to begin acting on them, and how the candidate will measure progress.
  1. Report on the $20 million audit finding and court oversight of Sheriff sales, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct. 1, 2026.
  2. Report on the October 29 contempt hearing, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct. 29, 2026.
  3. Report on the Undersheriff's resignation, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Sept. 15, 2026.

A professional, fiscally responsible
Office of Service. Accountability. Transparency. Public Service.

Meet Idris John Freeman
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