PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh’s top cop is sending a stern warning to officers about vehicle pursuits.
This comes after a lawsuit was recently filed in one pursuit case and the chief launched a review of vehicle pursuits and police collisions.
A security camera captured the violent crash last November after a suspect fleeing from a Pittsburgh police stop for tinted windows in the East End slammed into multiple vehicles, injuring nine people.
The Pittsburgh police detective who initiated the stop is facing disciplinary action for allegedly pursuing the vehicle at a high rate of speed without his lights and siren.
Chief Jason Lando recommended a two-day suspension, but Public Safety Director Sheldon Williams overruled Lando and recommended a five-day suspension, pending termination.
Williams eventually reduced the penalty, but the union has appealed.
Several people injured in the crash have also filed lawsuits against the officer and the city, claiming they failed to properly train him.
Attorney Anthony Giannetti represents the victims.
“We believe it was more than negligent. We believe it was reckless for the officer to initiate a chase at 80 mph through crowded city streets for a window tint violation,” Giannetti said.
11 Investigates has learned that Lando has issued a warning after an audit of vehicle pursuits and police collisions.
The chief said in an email to supervisors that he found a number of policy violations, including pursuing vehicles without sufficient justification, failing to activate emergency lights during an unauthorized pursuit, intentionally deactivating in-car and body-worn cameras and intentionally striking another vehicle.
Lando says some of the more flagrant violations created the potential for serious injury or death.
Just as troubling, the chief says he also discovered some supervisors appeared to minimize, excuse or justify conduct that was inconsistent with Bureau policy.
“These behaviors expose officers and members of the public to serious harm and expose the Bureau and City to substantial liability,” wrote Lando, adding that this must stop immediately.
The Police Officers’ Union says they are only aware of two cases involving pursuits, and they say one officer’s punishment was reduced to a reprimand. They are now awaiting a decision in the other case.
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