Pittsburgh Chief Forced To Resign
The second-highest-ranking member of the union representing Pittsburgh police officers said the rank-and-file are still shocked this morning by the sudden forced resignation of Chief Nate Harper and morale remains low.
Chief Nate Harper addresses the media in September. Screenshot via WTAE.
The second-highest-ranking member of the union representing Pittsburgh Police Bureau officers said the rank-and-file are still shocked this morning by the sudden forced resignation of Chief Nate Harper and morale remains low.
"My initial reaction was we were just surprised at how it had taken place and why it had taken place," Michael Benner, vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 1, said. "We don't know what the mayor knows."
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said he asked for the chief's resignation effective immediately Wednesday after the FBI questioned the mayor for two hours.
Morale has been noticeably low within the bureau while a federal grand jury investigates how a contract was awarded to a former friend of Mr. Harper and FBI agents have collected documents from police headquarters and a credit union as part of what police bureau Deputy Chief Paul Donaldson said he thought was likely a probe into allegations that money had been misappropriated within the bureau.
Read the full Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story.
Related:
More Training
Safariland Solis Rethinks Concealable Duty
What if Level I retention didn’t require a full duty rig? Safariland’s Solis delivers trusted ALS security in a streamlined OWB platform built for administrative and plainclothes professionals who need protection without the bulk.
Read More →
Two-Officer Tactical Doorway Entry Techniques
Entering a room during active-threat situations requires communication, coordination, and disciplined tactical movement. In this video, trainers from the United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association demonstrate critical room entry concepts, including fatal funnel awareness, team coordination, and safe tactical movement.
Read More →
High Compressed Ready Explained | Muzzle Control For Room Entry
In this video, Mike Willis, law enforcement national training and program director for the United States Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, demonstrates the high compressed ready position and discusses muzzle control during room entry.
Read More →
Built for Patrol: How One Police Chief Fixed Communication, Boosted Visibility, and Changed the Culture
Patrol work hasn’t changed—but the expectations on officers have. See how one police chief helped officers get the right information at the right time, improve patrol visibility, and strengthen trust without adding complexity or surveillance. This real-world story shows how patrol-driven technology can make the job safer, smarter, and more effective—starting on day one.
Read More →
Why Attend the DroneSense Innovation Summit by Versaterm?
Let’s hear from Ryan Bracken, head of product, about why your agency should send someone to the first annual DroneSense Innovation Summit by Versaterm in April.
Read More →
Caswell Live Fire Spins Off from InVeris
Caswell Live Fire has spun off from parent company InVeris, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Caswell’s founding. Over the past 100 years, Caswell has developed pioneering solutions that support military, law enforcement, and commercial clients worldwide.
Read More →
When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with a yellow headline that reads When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Read More →
How to Pick Your High-Risk Stop Location for Tactical Advantage
Hear veteran trainer Mike Willis, of the United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association, explain several considerations that can help you wisely pick your best spot to initiate high-risk or felony traffic stops.
Read More →
Coffee Break with Police Experts: Using Your Patrol Vehicle for Cover
In this video, hear from Dustin Mowery, a product specialist at Team Wendy, as he discusses how to best use a patrol vehicle for cover.
Read More →
Preventing Blue-on-Blue Shootings
In this video, Mike Willis, law enforcement national training and program director, United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association, discusses how to prevent blue-on-blue shootings.
Read More →