The undersheriff retires, effective the day of the court order

Undersheriff Tariq El-Shabazz retired from his $200,000-a-year position effective May 13, 2026 — the same day Judge Patrick’s order was signed. The office’s statement, released the following day, described “the conclusion of his distinguished service to the City of Philadelphia.”

In 2023, the city’s ethics board had fined El-Shabazz $16,000 after he acknowledged operating a private legal practice representing criminal defendants being prosecuted by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, in violation of city ethics rules.