Police Commander Investigated Over Excessive Overtime
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- He found himself at the center of a federal probe and internal investigation, but Pittsburgh Police Commander Eric Holmes says he still has a job to do and he intends to do it.
On a walking tour of the Strip District, Commander Holmes listened to the usual complaints - problem panhandlers, parking woes, speeding cars and some crime.
Until recently, Holmes had been a rising star in the police bureau and his "commander on the corner" walks through neighborhoods have been popular with residents and merchants.
But in the past 12 months, he's found himself in the center of a federal investigation into the police bureau and an ongoing internal probe.
KDKA's Andy Sheehan: "I'm wondering if these continuing investigations hamper your job?"
Holmes: "No. I have a job to do. A job I've been doing for 16 years. It's no different."
The city's Office of Municipal Investigation continues to investigate the fact that Holmes collected tens of thousands of dollars of overtime while working as a police sergeant and also holding down another job as public safety director at Slippery Rock University.
Sheehan: "Do you have any explanation for that?"
Holmes: "No. The paperwork went through. It was approved. And that's that."
But despite this cloud, Holmes remains extremely popular with the people he serves.
"I really haven't been too much attention to the investigations," said Becky Rodgers of Neighbors in the Strip. "I just know the job that he's doing and the people who really like him."
Sheehan: "And you're one among them?"
Rodgers: "I am."
In addition to the police bureau, the FBI has seized records from several other departments, but that doesn't mean the city comes to a halt.
"The investigations will run their course and the outcome will be the outcome," said Holmes.
RELATED LINKS:
City Investigating Runaway Overtime Paid To Police Officer (3/11/13)
More Reports by Andy Sheehan
