By Bob Bauder
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh police Chief Cameron McLay on Wednesday addressed what many perceive as a growing rift between his office and police officers, saying he needs to spend more time among the ranks.
McLay spoke publicly for the first time about ordering off-duty cops to work overtime shifts to handle security and traffic during Sunday’s Pittsburgh Marathon. The police union said McLay violated its contract and threatened to file an unfair labor practice with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. McLay apologized in an email to all officers for ordering them to work on short notice. He also scheduled a media conference Wednesday morning but canceled it without explanation.
“Leadership is about relationships, and I hate the fact that I’ve got a lot of officers who I just haven’t had the opportunity for face time with,” McLay said, addressing reporters after a meeting with Mayor Bill Peduto and Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich.
“My hope is to be able to spend more time engaging with them, but most of my work actually occurs outside of the four walls of the police bureau,” McLay said. “That’s why I have assistant chiefs, deputy chiefs and commanders. The critical thing will be for me to develop enough relationships that people know me and trust me.”
He said it’s even more important to promote officers who reflect his vision for the department.
Robert Swartzwelder, president of Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1, said he agrees that promoting good officers is critical.
“The FOP is going to be watching very closely promotions as well as failure to promote as we move along,” he said.
He said trust has been a problem among the ranks.
“What I hear from my officers is (police brass) are more worried about the image than the reality of police work and what it takes to be a police officer in the city of Pittsburgh,” he said.
He pointed to a rally in mid-April for GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump. Officers, he said, were not permitted to wear riot gear and several of them were pepper sprayed. He said Allegheny County police and Pennsylvania state troopers held in reserve were equipped with headgear, face shields and body armor.
Hissrich said the city is reviewing police actions during the Trump rally and would issue a report in June. He said the marathon is also under review.
McLay said disagreements with the union could lead to divisiveness.
“I’m not terribly concerned,” he said. “Bob Swartzwelder is a great man. I respect what he’s trying to do. I understand what he’s trying to do.”
The FOP and city have been negotiating a new contract since the previous one expired in December 2014. The contract is before an arbitration panel.
“I’m quite confident that as the larger issues that are of concern (to the) FOP settle themselves, I’m sure we’ll have a good working relationship,” McLay said.
Copyright 2016 The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review