Target 11: Female police officer who says she was raped granted protection order

PITTSBURGH — Target 11 has learned that the female officer filed for and was granted by a judge in Allegheny County a temporary order for protection of victims of sexual violence. It’s similar to a PFA or protection from abuse order.

As part of that case in family court, the officer subpoenaed an internal report conducted by the Office of Municipal Investigations into the rape allegations. The Fraternal Order of Police, the union that represents Pittsburgh police officers, objected to the release and the filed a motion to quash the subpoena.

The union is attempting to prevent the female officer from obtaining a copy of the OMI investigation. According to the motion obtained by Target 11, the union claims that releasing the information “will establish a legal precedent permitting the disclosure of such information that is protected from disclosure under the Right-to-Know Law.”

The attorney representing the female officer fired back at the union’s attempt to block the release of the report. She sent this statement to Target 11.

“The FOP could have represented all of its members or none of its members today. However, the FOP chose to represent some of its members, when they took the position that the victim should not be entitled to see the OMI investigative report. There was no question which side the FOP took when their President, Robert Swartzwelder, appeared with counsel to quash my subpoena to OMI. The FOP certainly wasn’t on the side of victims, nor was it on the side of justice,” said attorney Lisa Bennington.

It’s unclear what the protection order contains because it’s been sealed from the public.

Several weeks ago, the officer sent that email claiming an officer raped her after a night of drinking, and only received a suspension.

The city said the case was thoroughly and independently investigated.

Target 11 discovered new troubling information about that same officer. Eight years ago in court, he admitted to making sexually suggestive comments to a female recruit, telling her he couldn’t work with women because then he had to sleep with them.

The executive director or the citizen police review board says she’s looking into all of the allegations.

“I opened an inquiry upon receipt of the letter and I did extend to the victim officer our support in terms of assisting her,” said Beth Pittinger, the executive director of the Citizen Police Review Board.

The  hearing will continue until March, but the temporary protection order will remain in place until then.

Court documents uncovered by Target 11 raise new questions about Pittsburgh officer accused of rape

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