PLEASANT HILLS, Pa. — A bar fight that has led to the suspension of several Pittsburgh police officers is still under investigation.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Off-duty Pittsburgh police officers involved in fight at bar, sources say
Channel 11’s Chief Investigator, Rick Earle, sat down with District Attorney Stephen Zappala to learn more about whether or not charges are expected to be filed.
Earle: Disappointed to see law enforcement officers involved in something this?
Zappala: Yeah, because by all indications from their jackets, these are quality people that are good police officers, but this is a criminal investigation.
DA Zappala confirmed that the Pleasant Hills police department has launched an investigation into a fight at a bar in their community that involved at least four off-duty Pittsburgh police officers.
Earle: Are you concerned by what you read? Stephen
Zappala: One of the guys from the city, he took a bottle to somebody’s head, I mean, what the hell? So, it’s a problem.
Zappala confirmed what 11 Investigates initially reported, that one of the off duty pittsburgh police officers used a bottle during the fight.
Zappala: Say it’s a bar fight and you and I got a disagreement and we go at it. Once you start adding weapons to the mix, it’s a different dynamic.
Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Lando quickly suspended one officer and, days later, put three more officers on paid leave pending the results of the investigation.
“I take the work our officers do seriously, but also if they don’t behave according to our rules and regulations and policies, there has to be accountability,” Lando said.
The executive director of the citizen police review board also opened an inquiry.
The DA says he doesn’t know yet if any criminal charges will be filed in the case, but he expressed confidence in the Pleasant Hills Police Department. However, he also hinted at some issues that could influence the case.
Zappala: There are some issues about how this fight started and how it rose to that level...that type of thing. I’m aware of it, and we are looking at the evidence right now.
Sources tell Channel 11 that the brawl was caught on video.
The DA says his detectives are working with Pleasant Hills police to determine if any criminal charges will be filed.
11 Investigates checked in with Pittsburgh police and they say the four officers remain on paid administrative leave.
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