Pittsburgh Police: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 22:09, 20 March 2015
| Pittsburgh Bureau of Police | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
 Flag of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | |
| Common name | Pittsburgh Police |
| Abbreviation | PBP |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1857 |
| Preceding agency |
|
| Employees | 1,092 |
| Annual budget | $70,606,746 (2010)[1] |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Legal jurisdiction | Municipal |
| Primary governing body | Pittsburgh City Council |
| Secondary governing body | Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | 1203 Western Avenue Pittsburgh, PA |
| Officers | 904 |
| Non-sworns | 188 |
| Agency executive | |
| Parent agency | Public Safety Department |
| Branchs | 3
|
| Facilities | |
| Zones | 6
|
| 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 | |
The Pittsburgh Police (PBP), 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 1,400 sworn officers[2] in July 1985, 1,200[3] and by November 1989, 1,040.[4]
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.
Headquarters
The original headquarters were at Sixth Avenue and William Penn Way in downtown. In 1918 it moved into the Pittsburgh City-County Building, 1925 to Water Street,[5] 1960s Grant Street Public Safety Building, Western Avenue Northside.
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:[6]
- 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.[1] City wide for any 8 hour 2010 shift this translates to 76.8 officers, 16.8 detectives, 7.2 sergeants and 3 lieutenants.
In 1918 the city debuted a mounted squad, having had some mounted officers as early as 1906. Police motorcycles were first used by the bureau starting in 1910.[7]
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
Pay
Recruit(In Academy)-$13.69/hour
Officer-$40,896/Year(2012)
Officer, after 4 years of service- approx. $58,000/Year
Master Police Officer and Detective- approx. $61,000/Year
Sergeant- approx. $66,000/Year
Lieutenant- approx. $75,000/Year
Benefits
Officers receive paid training and a tuition free academy. Uniform allowance, health/dental/vision insurances, life insurance, credit union, paid holidays and vacation, numerous specialty assignments, promotional opportunities, 457(b) plan, tuition assistance, unionized(F.O.P. membership) and a city pension plan. Some officers receive a take home car.
Overtime
Officers have ample opportunities to earn generous extra pay in overtime. Some officers earn can earn up twice their pay in overtime. For example, one Lieutenant whose take home pay is around $75,000/year also earned $130,000/year in overtime pay. Bringing his total take home pay to $205,000/year. This list of highest paid officers is published in local newspapers every year.
Explanation of Unique overtime system
The way this system works is private entities pay to have police officers provide policing services, at bars, restaurants, supermarkets, night clubs, etc. The officers are usually not on duty, but sometimes are. These details are in addition to the officers normally scheduled shifts, assignments, or posts. These private entities, pay the City for the officers services, and then the city pays the officer for their overtime. So tax dollars really aren't involved in this system. While they may be off-duty, officers have the permission of the bureau/department and have full police powers in this system.
Union
Pittsburgh Police officers are members of the local Lodge(branch) of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Residency Requirement
Officers are required to be City of Pittsburgh residents prior to and during employment along with city firemen, paramedics, public works foreman, public works laborer, and some other city jobs also have the residency requirement. There is talk and plans of changing the residency requirement for police officers, so that they do not have to reside in The City of Pittsburgh. Yet, there have been no residency policy changes to date.
Retirement Requirement
Officers have mandatory retirement at the age of 65, regardless of other circumstances.
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
- Cameron McLay: Chief of Police
- Paul Donaldson: Deputy Chief
- Thomas Stangrecki: Assistant Chief (Administration)
- Maurita Bryant: Assistant Chief (Operations)
- George Trosky: Assistant Chief (Investigations)
- RaShall Brackney: Commander (Zone 1: North Side)
- Eric Holmes: Commander (Zone 2: Hill District)
- Larry Scirotto: Commander (Zone 3: Allentown)
- Kathy Degler: Commander (Zone 4: Squirrel Hill)
- Timothy O'Connor: Commander (Zone 5: Highland Park)
- Jason Lando: Commander (Zone 6: SDD / West End)
- Jennifer Beidle: Commander (Acting) (Major Crimes)
- Linda Barone: Commander (Narcotics & Vice)
- Cheryl Doubt: Commander (Support Services)
Police Chiefs
Modern era
Controversies
From 1901 to the early 1990s Pittsburgh Police were unique in having a "trial board" system of discipline.[8]
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 U.S. 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".[9]
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.[10] Community activists in Pittsburgh successfully used a referendum to create an independent review board in 1997.[11] A study commissioned by the U.S. 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.[10]
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 taxpayer money from unauthorized accounts.[12][13][14] 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 22, a Federal Grand Jury indicted Harper for stealing over $31,000 in taxpayer 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 withdraw cash as well as use the debit card to spend lavishly on food and alcohol in high-end restaurants, buy a satellite radio, gift cards, perfume, and even an oven upgrade. The full indictment was published by local media.[15]
One of a kind badge
In 1873, the Police Badge was designed and officially adopted by the City of Pittsburgh. The badge is a unique design: The crest is from the Coat-of-Arms of William Pitt, the 1st Earl of Chatham, The English gentleman for whom Pittsburgh is named. The garter around the badge is from the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the senior British Order of Chivalry founded by King Edward III in 1348. The shield is a circular fighting shield. used by 15th century Greek foot soldiers. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the circular shield was used extensively in the British Isles, hence its appearance in Pittsburgh. The badge looks similar to the bureau's logo, except that in the middle of the shield (see top of this page) there is the officer's four-digit service number/ID number.
Uniforms & Equipment
Officers generally wear a very dark navy blue almost appearing to be black uniform. Officers with the rank of lieutenant and above wear white uniform shirts. SWAT and Tactical units wear olive drab green uniforms. Name tags are either embroidered or the traditional nameplate. Some officers will wear a very dark navy blue/black tie, but this is not a requirement for normal duties. They will also sometimes wear an 8-pointed service cap, with a unique Sillitoe Tartan(explained below). Officers are equipped with O.C. spray (Mace), police radio, duty belt, handcuffs, extra ammunition, service pistol, bulletproof vest, baton, first aid kit, and flashlight. Many officers are now carrying tasers.[16]
Batons
Some officers carry expandable batons, and some officers carry more traditional wooden straight batons. These straight batons are ornate and beautifully stained in dark brownish and black wood finish. These batons sometimes are connected to a leather strap, as so the officer could twirl it around.
Service Pistols
Service pistols are usually Glocks. The officer must purchase their own service pistol. If officers were hired with the bureau in or prior to the year 1992, they have the option to carry a revolver on duty. Officers hired in 1993 and after must carry a semi-automatic pistol on duty. Prior to 1985 all officers could carry was the .38 calibur 5 or 6 shot revolvers. In 1985 the bureau phased in the use of 9 mm semi-automatics only to the Special Operations and Narcotics units. In early 1990 all officers were allowed and encouraged to carry 9 mm semi-automatics, with the training and ammunition change over costing the city roughly $2 million.[17]
Unique Hat Bands
The Pittsburgh police wear hats with checkered bands, which are dark navy blue and gold in color, 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.
As recently as July, 1930 police were required to wear a 13 ounce hat.[18]
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
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.[19] 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.[20] 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:[1]
- Male: 81%
- Female: 19%
- White: 83%
- African-American/Black: 17%
Fallen officers
Key
shaded rows with "PNW" denote Pittsburgh Night Watchmen.
shaded rows with "K9" denote police K9s.
| Name | Rank | Badge/Serial
Number |
Tenure | End of Watch | Age | Cause of Death | Notes | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PNW | ||||||||||||||
| — | ||||||||||||||
| K9 | ||||||||||||||
| K9 | ||||||||||||||
| K9 |
In 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.[21][22]
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-1990s 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 1960s 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
- Jack Reacher
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower
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
References
- ^ a b c http://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/pghbop/10_Police_Annual_Report.pdf
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RT0dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lU0EAAAAIBAJ&dq=pieper&pg=1665%2C4604992
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HZIcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TGIEAAAAIBAJ&dq=safety%20director%20pittsburgh&pg=4315%2C399661
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jYMcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mmMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2209%2C8832687
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=spdRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TWoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4531%2C5156817
- ^ If you wish to find out which zone you live in, you can check this list of neighborhoods or this map.
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=spdRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TWoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4531%2C5156817
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HrBRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_W0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4187%2C4447850
- ^ Pittsburgh Police
- ^ a b Vera Institute of Justice
- ^ Citizens Police Review Board Members
- ^ http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/fbi-seizes-pittsburgh-police-files-675125/
- ^ http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/ravenstahl-controversial-police-accounts-had-hundreds-of-transactions-676002/
- ^ http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/fbi-irs-investigate-account-connected-to-pittsburgh-police-chiefs-office-675523/
- ^ http://www.wtae.com/news/local/allegheny/Former-Pittsburgh-Police-Chief-Nate-Harper-indicted/-/10927008/19425286/-/5hx0ie/-/index.html
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JrRRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Rm4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6786%2C8067541
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jYMcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mmMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2209%2C8832687
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xYFRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mWgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3881%2C2535932
- ^ Chris Togneri, Chris Togneri (April 5, 2009). "Man 'lying in wait' kills 3 police officers in Stanton Heights". Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Retrieved 2009-04-05.
- ^ Nephin, Dan; Ramit Plushnick-Masti (April 4, 2005). "Gunman 'lying in wait' kills 3 Pittsburgh officers". The Associated Press; hosted by google.com. Retrieved 2009-04-05.
- ^ http://pittsburghhockey.net/old-site/PiratesPages/PiratesLOBBY.html
- ^ http://pittsburghhockey.net/old-site/PiratesPages/PiratesJersey.html
