PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said Wednesday that he still has confidence in Police Chief Nate Harper despite a federal investigation of the police department.
Ravenstahl said he hasn't asked Harper to retire or resign and the chief hasn't offered to.
FBI agents removed boxes of documents from police headquarters on Tuesday, and the city controller is also auditing the revenue police collect from special events.
One of Ravenstahl’s challengers in the upcoming November election, Bill Peduto, called the situation embarrassing.
“I still do believe that the bureau is functioning in a way that I’m satisfied,” Ravenstahl said.
“There’s public trust eroding and there’s also the concern within the bureau itself. The officers within the bureau are asking what’s happening,” Peduto said.
Last year, a former friend of Harper was charged in connection with a bribery scheme on a contract to install radios and computers in police cars, and last week it emerged that Harper formed a private security consulting firm with a clerk and three city officers.
Ravenstahl said that he doesn't approve of the consulting firm, but that Harper didn't appear to break any rules.
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