City Council To Hold Meeting On Pittsburgh Police Response Policy
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh City Council will hold a public hearing this afternoon on changes to the police response policy.
The chief of police presented a list of 14 types of calls that would be handled by phone, meaning the public won't always get an officer sent to them if there's not much in the way of evidence to collect.
Things like burglaries, theft, minor accidents. Instead, a report would be filed over the phone.
Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay said earlier this month that it's nothing new; he's just tweaking a 10-year-old policy. He said he wants his officers available for more community policing.
"One of the ways that you can improve your police services, while at the same time maximizing your limited available resources is by having a telephone reporting unit," Chief McLay said earlier this month.
City leaders have amended the policy so police will respond in-person on all calls for simple assault, harassment or terroristic threats.
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The changes have been prompted by the shrinking number of police officers.
The hearing begins at 1 p.m. in the City Council chambers.
