Pittsburgh Police

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
Common name	Pittsburgh Police
Abbreviation	PBP
Patch of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.
Logo of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.
Agency overview
Formed	1857
Preceding agency	Pittsburgh Night Watchmen
Employees	1,092
Annual budget	$70,606,746 (2010)
Legal personality	Governmental: Government agency
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction*	City of Pittsburgh in the state of Pennsylvania, USA
Legal jurisdiction	Municipal
Primary governing body	Pittsburgh City Council
Secondary governing body	Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety
General nature	Law enforcement Civilian agency
Operational structure
Headquarters	1203 Western Avenue Pittsburgh, PA
Officers	904
Non-sworns	188
Agency executive	Regina McDonald (acting), Chief of Police
Parent agency	Public Safety Department
Branchs	3 Administration Investigation Operations
Facilities
Zones	6 Zone 1 (Northside) Zone 2 (Downtown, Uptown Zone 3 (Southside, South Hills) Zone 4 (Oakland-Shadyside-Point Breeze) Zone 5 (East End) Zone 6 (West End)
General Motors	1,000
Harleys	70
RiverRescue: 30' SeaArk Little Giants	2
RiverRescue: 25' Boston Whaler Guardians	1
RiverRescue: 19' Husky Airboats	1
German Shepherds	15
Belgian Malinois	2
Bloodhounds	1
Website
Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
Footnotes
* Divisional agency: Division of the country, over which the agency has usual operational jurisdiction.

The Pittsburgh Police, or officially the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, is the largest law enforcement agency in Western Pennsylvania and the third largest in Pennsylvania. The modern force of salaried and professional officers was founded in 1857 but dates back to the night watchmen beginning in 1794, and the subsequent day patrols in the early 19th century, in the then borough of Pittsburgh. By 1952 the Bureau had a strength of 1400 sworn officers and in July 1985, 1200.

Organization

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is part of the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety and is headed by acting Chief Regina McDonald appointed by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and approved by City Council. The Chief of Police is the top law enforcement agent of the city of Pittsburgh. In the Chiefs council are the positions of

• Deputy Chief of Police Bureau
• Chief of Staff Pittsburgh Police
• Public Affairs Manager Pittsburgh Police
• Legal Advisor to Pittsburgh Police

Reporting directly through the Deputy Chief of Police to the Chief are the three active units of the Police Bureau: Operations, Investigations, and Administration. Each one is headed by an Assistant Chief.

Operations Unit

Headed by the Assistant Chief of Operations, this unit is the most visible arm of the Pittsburgh Police Bureau. It consists six zones (the updated form of precincts) with each zone being supervised by the zone commander, as well as all zone patrol and response operations, SWAT team, Traffic patrol, and Impound. This is also the unit that does community policing.

The six Pittsburgh Police zones are:

• Zone One: North Side
• Zone Two: Downtown, Hill District, Strip District, Lawrenceville
• Zone Three: South Side, Beltzhoover, Carrick, St. Clair Village, Arlington Heights
• Zone Four: Universities, Oakland, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Point Breeze
• Zone Five: East Liberty, Highland Park, Homewood
• Zone Six: West End, Banksville, Brookline, Beechview

In 2010 the average Pittsburgh police zone had 12.8 officers, 2.8 detectives, 1.2 sergeants and .5 lieutenants on duty during any 8 hour shift. City wide for any 8 hour 2010 shift this translates to 76.8 officers, 16.8 detectives, 7.2 sergeants and 3 lieutenants.

Investigations Unit

Headed by the Assistant Chief of Investigations Maurita Bryant, this unit overlays the operations staff with the detective and inspector corps of the Police Bureau. Its detective divisions are broken down into the following:

• Auto Task Force
• Arson Squad
• Burglary Squad
• Crime Stoppers
• Crime Scene Investigators
• Dignitary & Witness Security
• Financial Crimes Task Force
• Forfeiture
• Gang Task Force
• Homicide Squad
• Missing Persons
• Narcotics
• Night Felony Squad
• Nuisance Bar Task Force
• Pawn
• Robbery Squad
• Sex Assault/Domestic Violence Squad

Administration Unit

Headed by the Assistant Chief of Administration, this is the least visible unit of the bureau but one that is possibly the most essential. It consists of eight major divisions.

• Intel (Crime Analysis)
• Office of Municipal Investigations (Internal Affairs)
• Police Academy/Training
• Personnel & Finance
• Property Room
• Records
• School Patrol
• Special Events Logistics
• Warrant Office

Ranks of the Pittsburgh Police

Title	Insignia
Chief of Department
Deputy Chief
Assistant Chief
Commander
Lieutenant
Sergeant
Detective/Police Officer

Structure

• Regina McDonald: Chief of Police (Acting)
• Paul Donaldson: Deputy Chief
• Regina McDonald: Assistant Chief (Administration)
• William Bochter: Assistant Chief (Operations)
• Maurita Bryant: Assistant Chief (Investigations)
• RaShall Brackney: Commander (Zone 1: North Side)
• George Trosky: Commander (Zone 2: Hill District)
• Cathy McNeilly: Commander (Zone 3: Allentown)
• Richard Reilly: Commander(acting) (Zone 4: Squirrel Hill)
• Kevin Kraus: Commander (Zone 5: Highland Park)
• Scott Schubert: Commander (Zone 6: SDD / West End)
• Thomas Stangrecki: Commander (Major Crimes)
• Cheryl Doubt: Commander (Narcotics & Vice)
• Linda Barone: Commander (Support Services)

Police Chiefs

Main article: Pittsburgh Police Chief

Modern era

Controversies

In 1996, after the deaths of two African-American men in Police custody, the ACLU and the NAACP filed a class action lawsuit against the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, alleging a pattern of civil rights abuses. After an investigation, the US Justice Department joined the suit in January 1997, stating "that there is a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police that deprives persons of rights, privileges, and immunities secured and protected by the Constitution and laws of the United States".

After a brief court challenge, the City entered into a consent decree with the federal government in April 1997 that outlined the steps that it would take to improve its conduct. The decree was lifted from the Police Bureau in 2001, and from the Office of Municipal Investigation in 2002. Community activists in Pittsburgh successfully used a referendum to create an independent review board in 1997. A study commissioned by the US Department of Justice in 2001 found that 70% of Pittsburgh's African-American residents believe it either "very common" or "somewhat common" for "police officers in Pittsburgh to use excessive force" and that only 48% feel that the Police are doing a "very good" or "somewhat good" "job of fighting crime", while 77% of white residents responded so.

In February 2013 the FBI and IRS seized boxes of documents from police headquarters and the independent police credit union concerning thousands of deposits and withdrawals of tax payer money from unauthorized accounts. Allegations have been made against former Chief Nate Harper, who was forced to resign on February 20, 2013 due to the FBI and IRS investigations. On March 22nd a Federal Grand Jury indicted Harper for stealing over $31,000 in tax payer money as well as not filing personal income tax returns for years 2008-2011. Harper had various checks deposited into these unauthorized secret accounts that were skimmed off a police fund, and then he used a debit card to withdrawal cash as well as use the debit card to spend lavishly on food and alcohol in high end restaurants, buy a satellite radio, giftcards, perfume, and even an oven upgrade. The full indictment was published by local media. http://www.wtae.com/news/local/allegheny/Former-Pittsburgh-Police-Chief-Nate-Harper-indicted/-/10927008/19425286/-/5hx0ie/-/index.html

Special hat bands

The Pittsburgh police wear hats with checkered bands, popularly known as the "Sillitoe Tartan" and named after its originator, Percy J. Sillitoe, Chief Constable of Glasgow, Scotland in the 1930s. While the checkered band is a common police symbol in the United Kingdom, Australia and some European countries, the Chicago Police Department, Cook County Sheriff's Police, the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police are the only police forces in the United States that have adopted it as part of their uniforms.

Pittsburgh Police medals

The Pittsburgh Police have several honors and medals including:

• Medal of Valor

The highest honor of any Pittsburgh Police officer. It is awarded only for acts occurring in the most exceptional of circumstances. Recognizing acts of bravery and heroism in the protection of life, while taking on great personal risk and without compromising any bureau mission.

• Valor Ribbon:

Awarded along with the Medal of Valor.

• Commendation:

Open to members and non-members of the Pittsburgh Police Bureau who have displayed initiative in performing tasks above and beyond that which is required in a professional manner. In 2007 38 officers received Commendations.

• Purple Heart:

To those who in the course of criminal apprehension efforts, sustained serious injury, disability or wounds. In 2007 three officers received this award.

• Meritorious Service:

Open to all officers who have distinguished themselves in exhibiting professional excellence in their tasks or duties. As well as those that contribute significantly towards improving the objectives of the bureau. In 2007 sixteen officers received this award.

• Bureau of Police Citation:

Open to all officers and non-members who performed a task of bravery or heroism above and beyond the call of duty and in the face of great personal risk in life-saving or life-protecting circumstances. In 2007 nine officers were recognized.

• Officer of the Month:

Selected by committee of the Chief, Deputy Chief and three Assistant Chiefs from a single nomination from each zone commander, there can be more than one selected per month.

• Officer of the Year:

Selected from all officers of the months and all officers receiving commendations through the year by committee of the Chief, Deputy Chief and all three Assistant Chiefs.

2009 police shooting

Main article: 2009 Pittsburgh police shooting

On April 4, 2009, three Pittsburgh police officers were killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance in the Stanton Heights area of the city. The officers, all from the Zone 5 station are Eric Kelly, a 14-year veteran of the Bureau, Stephen Mayhle, and Paul Sciullo II, both two-year veterans. Two other officers were injured. Timothy McManaway was shot in the hand trying to help Officer Kelly, and Brian Jones broke his leg when a fence collapsed. Police Chief Nathan Harper said Officer Mayhle was married and had two children; Officer Kelly was married and had three children; and Officer Sciullo was single.

Demographics

2010 Source:

• Male: 81%
• Female: 19%

• White: 83%
• African-American/Black: 17%

Popular culture

The city of Pittsburgh is well known throughout the world as having its official colors not only on everything from the official seal and flag to fire hydrants, fire trucks and police cars, but also shared by all of its pro sports teams, and more recently featured in rap/rally videos. Although the Pittsburgh Steelers are the only team to have these colors throughout their entire history (starting in 1933), the Pittsburgh Pirates (1948-present) and the Pittsburgh Penguins (1967, 1975, 1980–present) have for generations also been associated with "black and gold". However the very first team in the city's history to associate with its official seal/flag colors were the original NHL franchise Pittsburgh Pirates. The police department of Pittsburgh was instrumental in establishing the "black and gold" tradition for the regions sports teams, in that the teams owner, attorney James Callahan, asked his police officer brother for used and surplus seals and emblems from old police uniforms in 1925. From those donated "logos" the tradition of "black and gold" for the city's franchises was born.

Fictional portrayals

The Pittsburgh Police have been featured in many television and film portrayals. Among them:

Television

• Vic Cianca, a traffic cop, was featured in Candid Camera winning an annual prize from the show in 1965 and subsequently featured in Budweiser commercials, on Italian TV and a cameo in Flashdance.
• Hill Street Blues: What is now Pittsburgh's Zone 2 "Hill District" (not Street) station was the inspiration for the show.
• COPS: seven episodes in the 1990s, several others in the mid first decade of the 21st century
• The X Files, the Pittsburgh Police feature as a backdrop to four Pittsburgh- and Western Pennsylvania–based episodes.
• Smith: The Pittsburgh police chase Ray Liotta and Amy Smart among others after a heist at the fictional Tanner Museum (actually the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research). The chase passes through the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and past PNC Park onto the Ohio River and is complete with diversionary explosions and human decoys.
• The Guardian: Simon Baker, Dabney Coleman and Farrah Fawcett (along with a cameo by Will Ferrell) all work with the police and are the subject of some police investigations in this deep drama about life and redemption.
• Sirens: mid-90's ABC series about female Pittsburgh Police officers.
• The Kill Point: 2007 cable mini-series in which the Pittsburgh Police led by Donnie Wahlberg and the FBI attempt to handle a downtown bank robbery led by John Leguizamo that turns into a hostage situation.
• Blacks and Blue: 1998 NBC News series with Geraldo Rivera reporting on the bureau's operations. [1]
• Top Sniper 2: the Pittsburgh Police S.W.A.T. team was featured as winners of the 2008 competition with it airing on the Military Channel in March 2009. [2][3]

Film

• Flashdance features several Pittsburgh cops during different scenes, most notably candid camera fame Vic Cianca's cameo appearance with star Jennifer Beals.
• Desperate Measures: Pittsburgh Police double for San Franciscans as Andy García hunts a demented Michael Keaton within the maze of corridors that form One Mellon Center and the Allegheny County Courthouse portraying a 'hospital'.
• Dawn of the Dead: Pittsburgh Police—among others—mount a defense against zombies in this political satire against "mall culture"
• Sudden Death: Pittsburgh Police and SWAT respond to the U.S. Vice President being held hostage at the Stanley Cup Finals at Mellon Arena while Jean Claude Van Damme provides the heroics.
• Striking Distance: high drama film about corruption and coverups where Bruce Willis, Sarah Jessica Parker and Dennis Farina play Pittsburgh police officers.
• Screwed: a comedy about a shrewd Pittsburgh Police detective and a kidnapping gone crazy with help from Dave Chappelle and Norm Macdonald.
• Wonder Boys: a "Boy Scout" hounds Michael Douglas' character in the morning hours at the professor's house.
• Hoffa: a motorcycle cop in 1960's urban America pulls over Danny DeVito's character outside of Gateway Center.
• Boys on the Side: Pittsburgh Police chase down Drew Barrymore.
• Inspector Gadget: Pittsburgh gets recast as "Riverton" as the Police go high tech.
• RoboCop: Though set as Detroit, it is Pittsburgh Police that offer the backdrop for the film locations largely throughout Pittsburgh.
• Land of the Dead even though filmed in Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, locations in film are to appear as Pittsburgh.
• The Clearing: Robert Redford's character as a 'prominent Pittsburgh businessman' is abducted and held for ransom as the Pittsburgh Police and FBI are portrayed attempting to solve the case.
• The Next Three Days: features the Pittsburgh Police prominently as Russell Crowe battles to prove his wife's innocence during a murder trial.
• In the Name of the Law: a police Superintendent hurls baseballs off the 150+ foot high roof of Pittsburgh City Hall as Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer Honus Wagner comes to the city's rescue with daring catches on the street below.
• Dominick and Eugene
• Chasing 3000
• The Mysteries of Pittsburgh

See also

• Allegheny County Sheriff (sister agency)
• Allegheny County District Attorney
• Allegheny County Police Department (sister agency)
• List of law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania
• 2009 Pittsburgh police shooting
• Vic Cianca

External links

• Pittsburgh Police
• Citizens Police Review Board
• Pittsburgh Police Historical Association
• First African-American to achieve command rank article