By Andrew Goldstein
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
PITTSBURGH —The president of the union representing Pittsburgh police officers on Friday raised concerns about decals being placed on the side of police vehicles that represent or show support for a variety of causes.
Pittsburgh police chiefs and command staff decided to place decals on vehicles a month ago “as a way to acknowledge special occasions for the department and communities we serve,” public safety spokeswoman Sonya Toler said in an email. The events include Police Memorial Week, Pittsburgh Pride, Black History Month and six other occasions throughout the year.
But Robert Swartzwelder, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1, said police should not advertise for any cause and opined that the city is going down a “slippery slope” that could lead to legal action. He said he was concerned that a radical group could ask to have its logo placed on police vehicles, and take the city to court if it refuses.
“How about the Klan? The Klan was allowed to protest in front of the City-County Building years ago, and we had to block it all off and have police in riot gear,” Officer Swartzwelder said. “They were permitted to preach hate. ... Now we’re going to slap their logo on the side of our police car? That’s outrageous.
“When you tell people what I said, [they’ll say] ‘That FOP president’s crazy, we would never do that,’” he continued. “How do you know? You start traveling down this road, how do you know that some federal judge isn’t going to order you to put it on there?”
Ms. Toler said the idea for the decals came as the police bureau, looking for ways to thank the community, came across the initiative being used by other police agencies across the country.
“Originally the idea was focused around diversity, and after careful consideration, we decided we could celebrate various events and convey a positive message to all communities,” she said.
Pittsburgh police Chief Scott Schubert expressed disappointment in the position taken by Officer Swartzwelder.
“It’s very disheartening to hear the FOP went to the media about their displeasure in supporting Pride and other events that help build stronger partnerships with the community we are entrusted to serve and protect,” Chief Schubert said in a statement. “It’s extremely disappointing that the FOP would attempt to strain relations with the community when the [Pittsburgh Bureau of Police] is doing everything in our power to improve those relationships. The FOP is sending a message that has the potential to do reprehensible harm to progress we’ve made to ensure there is inclusion with all members of the community.”
Officer Swartzwelder’s concerns were initiated Friday when an officer sent him a photo of the decal currently on about 30 police vehicles. The decal features a Pittsburgh police badge over a rainbow logo that states: Supports Pride 2017. The decal recognizes Pittsburgh Pride week, which begins this weekend.
Decals representing Police Memorial Week and the Special Olympics were already featured on police vehicles. Officer Swartzwelder said he did not notice the decals until Friday but doesn’t support them no matter what they represent.
“Police do not advertise. We support everybody by our professional police actions, that’s our job,” he said. “We’re not supposed to be advertising for any cause on an official police vehicle. It’s a very dangerous, slippery slope.”
The Delta Foundation, a local LGBT advocacy group that sponsors Pride, said in a statement that the group did not consult with the police bureau about the decals placed on vehicles this week. Nevertheless, Delta said it was “perplexed” why Officer Swartzwelder “all of a sudden has taken issue with these stickers as it is our understanding that this is the third of a series of nine stickers to be applied to the cars representing different communities and causes.”
“His statement does nothing to repair the relationship between Pittsburgh’s LGBT citizens and visitors,” the group said. “We hope that the FOP and all of its members will continue to work to gain a greater understanding of the LGBT community, specifically transgender people, people of color, and underserved members of our community, as they protect and serve all residents of the City of Pittsburgh.”
Mr. Swartzwelder said his complaint had nothing to do with the fact that this week’s logo supports LGBT pride.
“I have gay police officers in my job that I am very, very close and personal friends with,” he said. “That’s outrageous to say that. It would be an outrageous statement to say that of the FOP. We have gay police officers on our job, and they know me, and they helped elect me to be their president.
“These stickers do not belong on these vehicles, period. ... You know what improves community relations? Professional police work, not stickers.”
Copyright 2017 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette