"Thank you, Jesus," Gillespie said. "When God's on your side, that's what happens."
His supporters, including many police officers, stood cheering and clapping as jurors left the courtroom. Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson called for order.
"It's all over. We can move on with our lives," Gillespie exulted as he hugged his wife, Sandy. "I told you the truth would come out."
Gillespie has been suspended without pay since February 2006, when an investigation accused him of beating a South Philadelphia man who was stopped for allegedly running a stop sign. The Deptford police chief denounced the officer and supported his prosecution.
Defense lawyer Ron Helmer said he hoped Gillespie, a four-year police veteran, would be reinstated now that he has been acquitted.
"We're grateful to the jury for having done the right thing," Helmer said.
Helmer said the Deptford Police Department could still charge Gillespie with administrative offenses.
Retired Deptford Police Officer William Fritz said the charges were "100 percent about politics."
Deptford Police Chief John Marolt has said said he was offended by what he saw on the video of the traffic stop that led to the charges against his officers. He said it was the first time in 27 years with the police force that he had witnessed excessive force used by police in his 71-member department.
Two other Deptford officers face trials in the case. Patrolman Timothy Parks is accused of participating in the alleged attack. A third officer, Brian Green, is accused of lying about what he saw at the police station where another struggle allegedly occurred.
It was unclear yesterday whether prosecutors would proceed with those cases in light of the acquittal.
