Former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross says his abrupt resignation was completely voluntary.
Speaking outside police headquarters Wednesday, Ross says his love for the city compelled him to make a decision that was bigger than him.
Ross resigned Tuesday, a day after two female officers say their complaints of being physically and verbally harassed by supervisors and colleagues were ignored by department brass.
One woman said Ross ignored her reports of sexual harassment because she broke off an affair with Ross.
Ross says "given everything else we have to contend with," it was for the best that he step down.
The suit claims members of the police department engaged in sexual harassment and racial and gender discrimination against them.
The women will ask a federal judge Wednesday to protect them from retaliation on the job.