Police 'Blue Flu' Rumors Circulate After CAPA Student's Charges Dropped

A magistrate's decision to drop criminal charges last week against a Creative and Performing Arts student set off rumors that a work-related retaliation might come from Pittsburgh police officers.

Rumors of a work slowdown or diminished patrols came after a judge said the evidence presented left him with no other alternative than to drop prowling and other charges against Jordan Miles, who claims police beat him during his arrest.

The dismissal of charges has some officers saying it is a failure of the justice system, Channel 11 News reporter Trisha Pittman said.

Deputy Chief Paul Donaldson said he e-mailed officers because of concerns they might curtail their duties based on a perception that the courts failed them.

Pittsburgh police have been warned not to call in sick without reason or cut back on patrols.

The e-mail said, "Any such actions are forbidden and would be detrimental to the involved officers and the entire bureau … Not every police encounter ends with an arrest and not every arrest results in a conviction. Nor would we want it to."

Donaldson also commented that the bureau is proud of their officers and does not want to see actions that would tarnish their image.

Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge 1 President Dan O'Hara responded.

"Obviously we're a professional organization, and we are not going to initiate a work stoppage," O'Hara said. "That's not what we swore when we took this job. As far as that goes, Chief Donaldson has to address public safety needs. Anytime there is a rumor, you need to quell it as soon as possible. We don't have intention of supporting any such conduct."

Miles said officers Michael Saldutte, Richard Ewing and David Sisak attacked him without cause as he walked along a Homewood street between his mother's and grandmother's homes.

The officers remain on paid suspension pending an internal investigation.

A judge last week dismissed charges against Miles after a homeowner contradicted police accounts that Miles lurked near a stranger's house. The homeowner said she knows Miles, who is friends with her son.

Previous Stories: March 8, 2010: Controversy Surrounds Photos Of Beaten CAPA Student March 4, 2010: Police Hope To Re-File Charges Against Beaten CAPA Student February 23, 2010: Beaten CAPA Student Having Flashbacks, Mother Says February 2, 2010: CAPA Student Beating Prompts Proposed Change In Police Operations February 1, 2010: Officers Accused Of Beating CAPA Student Placed On Paid Leave January 26, 2010: Citizens Police Review Board To Look Into CAPA Student Beating January 22, 2010: Student: ‘Beating So Bad Thought I Was Going To Die’

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