PITTSBURGH — While the city’s
[ Office of Municipal Investigations cleared the Pittsburgh police chief of any wrongdoing ]
for giving a speech in uniform at the Democratic National Convention, the Pittsburgh Citizen Police Review Board’s report did not.
Pittinger said McLay sent a letter to the CPRB in August, asking to look into whether wearing his uniform at the DNC violated city codes.
Pittsburgh police Chief Cameron McLay came under fire in July after appearing in his police uniform on stage at the DNC in Philadelphia, where the Democratic nominees for president and vice president were picked.
“A suit would've been a whole different story,” CPRB Executive Director Beth Pittinger said Tuesday following the release of the board's seven-page report.
RELATED: Chief McLay requests investigation into his remarks, appearance at DNC
She pointed to his speech that was proofread by representative of the DNC nominee's campaign, and McLay’s travel and accommodations, which the DNC provided.
Pittinger said McLay’s appearance was at a partisan political activity and therefore violated city code.
She told the board Tuesday night that there are a few city laws that need more clarity.
“What is political activity? What is partisan political activity?” she said. “What standards control the uniform and how it should be protected and cherished?”
Despite the report’s findings, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto maintains McLay didn't do anything wrong. He said the previous report clearing McLay looked at more information.
Peduto responded to the report, telling Channel 11 News:
Pittinger said while she isn't criticizing McLay’s intentions, she wants to make sure it doesn't happen again.
“I think he genuinely saw this as an opportunity to do some good in law enforcement and community relations,” she said.
The CPRB wants to meet with city leaders to make some changes to the codes.
McLay responded to the report Wednesday, admitting that in hindsight, he would’ve done things differently.
“If I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't have worn the uniform because it distracted from the important message I was trying to relay,” he said.