Domestic Violence Forum Held After Controversial Police Promotions

The City Council President Doug Shields held a forum Monday on domestic violence after recent controversial police promotions. Dave Thomas, Johns Hopkins University's nationally recognized expert on domestic violence education, was a guest speaker.

Promotions from Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in July have been under careful watch by the National Center for Women and Policing.

The center found that police officers who committed domestic violence in a study were promoted to positions of status regardless of their actions. The center did ask Ravenstahl to rescind the promotions, but he would not.

The Center for Women and Policing stated that officers who have hurt women should not be promoted.

Ravenstahl did not attend Monday's forum, but did watch it on television.

Previous Stories: July 5, 2007: Charges Withdrawn Against Pittsburgh Police Officer July 5, 2007: Ravenstahl Under Fire For Missing Meeting June 29, 2007: Mayor Announces Changes To Police Promotion Policy June 28, 2007: Showdown Continues Over Police Promotions June 27, 2007: Controversial Police Promotions Spark Change June 26, 2007: Ravenstahl: Officers' Promotions Were Unacceptable June 21, 2007: Deputy Chief Defends Officers' Promotions June 20, 2007: 3 Pittsburgh Officers Promoted Despite Criminal Charges June 19, 2007: Local Officer Accused Of Assaulting Daughter Promoted