Pittsburgh Police Chief Larry Sirott announced Friday that he is retiring. His last day will be November 1st. This comes after Sirott announced he would return to officiating college basketball. In an email to the entire Pittsburgh Police Department, Sirotto said the decision to retire was his alone and that his return was in the department’s best interest. Officiating college basketball got in the way. Mayor Ed Gainey told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that Assistant Chief Chris Ragland, who would have filled in for Chief Sirotto if he was absent due to refereeing, will become acting chief when Mr. Sirotto retires in a week’s time. He said it was planned. Gainey said she received the chief’s resignation shortly before sending the email to all police departments. “I heard about it this morning, and there were some discussions before that, so that’s our issue. But I’m going to protect his privacy,” Gainey said. “At the end of the day, he did what was best for his family, so I respect his privacy and I’m not going to go into that,” said Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt. “This has been discussed as an issue.” “If this doesn’t work out, his step would be out, and I think that’s what happened,” Sirott wrote in the letter. “This decision to retire is rooted in pride, duty, and a deep commitment to our organization and the communities we serve.” , which came after Sirott announced he would return to officiating college basketball while continuing as police chief. Referee work takes more than 60 days a year. Mr. Sirotto and Mr. Gainey told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that from the beginning they discussed the possibility of Mr. Sirotto resuming refereeing after his first year as chief and after the city’s homicide rate decreased. . Gainey said Sirotto only made a promise not to coach in his first year. “We will be looking for a new chief, whether internally or externally,” Schmidt said. Mr. Gainey asserted that. “Acting Chief Ragland, I have full confidence in him. He will be acting chief,” Gainey said. What about in the long run? “We’ll talk about that later,” the mayor said. Mr. Sirotto previously said Mr. Ragland would lead the police department while he was away on refereeing duties. In a letter to the police department, Sirott wrote: Regarding the press surrounding my dual role as a college basketball official and police chief, I enjoy this job and look forward to future officiating duties, but this visibility has become a hindrance to the police department. “I recognize that there is,” he said. “I want to let you know that I did not bow to the opinions of a few individuals or public perception. Instead, I made this decision to prioritize the integrity and focus of the department. Optics matter and , my retirement is of the utmost importance.”Just as Mr. Sirotto announced he would return to refereeing, the Pittsburgh City Council was caught off guard by the Commissioner’s decision to retire instead. ” I heard this announcement literally seconds ago. My first thought was, I think he’s done a great job as chief of police, and it’s unfortunate that we’re going to lose him now, but obviously, we’re going to pivot when we need to and We need to move forward. ” City Council President Daniel Lovell told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4. “It was really disappointing just to see how it unfolded,” said Ward 1 City Councilor Bobby Wilson, “I think it could have been a much different scenario if everyone had participated.” “Sometimes you make a decision and then you realize it wasn’t the best decision and you have to change your mind and pivot a little bit,” Schmidt said. I absolutely believe he left the station in a better place,” Lovell said. “I think we have close to 50 new officers coming into our department right now, and crime is down, so he’s done his job.”
Pittsburgh —
Pittsburgh Police Chief Larry Sirott announced Friday that he is retiring. His last day will be November 1st. This comes after Sirott announced he would return to officiating college basketball.
In an email to the entire Pittsburgh Police Department, Mr. Sirotto said that his decision to retire was his alone and in the best interest of the department, as returning to officiating college basketball was getting in the way.
Mayor Ed Gainey told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that if Sirotto steps down in a week, Acting Commissioner Chris Ragland will become acting commissioner. He would have filled in if the Chief Justice was absent as an umpire.
Gainey received the chief’s resignation just before sending an email to all police departments.
“I heard about it this morning, and we had some conversations before that, so that’s what it is. But I’m going to protect his privacy,” Gainey said. “At the end of the day, he did what was best for his family. So I respect his privacy. I’m not going to get into that.”
Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt said: “This has been discussed as things have progressed, but if this doesn’t work out, his step would be to be ejected, and that’s exactly what happened.” I think so,” he said.
“After 25 years of dedicated service to the Secretariat, this decision is based on pride, duty, and a deep dedication to our organization and the communities we serve,” Sirott said in the letter. ”
The decision to retire came after Sirott announced he would return to officiating college basketball while continuing as police chief. Referee work takes more than 60 days a year.
Mr. Sirotto and Mr. Gainey told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that from the beginning they had discussed the possibility of Mr. Sirotto resuming refereeing after his first year as chief and after the city’s homicide rate decreased. Gainey said Sirotto only promised not to coach in his first year.
“We will be looking for a new chief, whether internally or externally,” Schmidt said.
Gainey was adamant that the police department’s deputy commanders would be strengthened for the time being.
“Acting Secretary Ragland, I have full confidence in him. He will be Acting Secretary,” Gainey said.
What about the long term? “We’ll talk about that later,” the mayor said.
Mr Sirotto previously said Mr Ragland would lead the office while he was away on refereeing duties.
“Recently, there has been considerable media coverage surrounding my dual role as a college basketball official and police chief. I enjoy this job and will continue to do so,” Sirott wrote in a letter to the police department. “I look forward to the referee’s work. I recognize that this visibility is a hindrance to the department,” he said. “I want to let you know that I did not bow to the opinions of a few individuals or public perception. Instead, I made this decision to prioritize the integrity and focus of the department. Optics matter and , my retirement is the most important thing that’s the right path for all of us. ”
Just as Sirotto announced he was returning to officiating, the Pittsburgh City Council was caught off guard by his decision to retire instead.
“I literally heard that announcement just a few seconds ago. My first thought was, Sorry. I think he did a great job as chief of police, and now we’re going to lose him. It’s unfortunate, but obviously we have to pivot and move forward if necessary,” City Council President Daniel LaBelle told Action News 4 in Pittsburgh.
Ward 1 City Councilman Bobby Wilson said of the developments: “It was really disappointing. Considering how things unfolded, if everyone had had all the information beforehand, it would have been a much different scenario.” said.
Schmidt said, “Sometimes you make a decision and realize it wasn’t the best decision and you have to change your mind and pivot a little bit. So we all do that every day, and that’s exactly what we do. I think that’s what happened in this case.” ”
“I think Director Sirotto has done a phenomenal job as director, and I absolutely believe he leaves the department in a better place,” Lovell said. “I think we have close to 50 new officers coming into our department right now, and crime is down, so he’s done his job.”
