Newsradio 1020 KDKA Editorial: Cameron McLay
Cameron McLay is on track to be Pittsburgh's new police chief.
His mother and grandparents were from this area –
But mcLay comes here after serving thirty years on the Madison, Wisconsin, police force.
So he's an outsider.
That's a good thing.
Mayor Bill Peduto could have chosen a chief from the ranks –
But McLay has something the internal candidates lacked –
The ability to start with a clean slate.
That is an invaluable tool.
It will help him rebuild ties – and trust – between police and residents.
It may also help McLay rebuild police morale.
The Police Bureau has spent a year and a half under a temporary chief –
The former chief is serving prison time –
And relations between the police bureau and city administration are "strained" at best.
Public Safety is one of the most important services a city provides.
City Council needs to approve Cameron McLay quickly –
So he can get to work.
There's already a lot on his plate.