PITTSBURGH -- A controversial police officer got bumped up the ranks on Monday.

Detective George Trosky's promotion to commander brought up a lot of questions for officials in Pittsburgh, including why was he moved up ahead of his superiors and was his past overlooked?

Trosky was an officer with a history, including charges of domestic violence and using excessive force.

"I will support the constitution of the United States of America," Trosky said Monday during his promotion.

In 1989, Trosky was videotaped punching a fan outside of a Grateful Dead concert at the then-Civic Arena.

The concert got out of hand and three police officers and eight fans were hurt. Thirty-one people were arrested.

The punch that night was one of three accusations of excessive force launched against Trosky.

In 1993, Trosky was promoted to sergeant, then demoted to patrolman four years later after being charged with breaking his wife's nose then driving drunk after the alleged assault.

Both charges were dropped when his now ex-wife didn't show up for the preliminary hearing and Trosky's blood-alcohol test was ruled inadmissible in court.

"That was a lifetime ago," Trosky said on Monday. "That's over with. I am a working and dedicated Pittsburgh police officer."

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Police Chief Nate Harper took extra steps to make Trosky commander, asking the Civil Service Commission to change the rules and allow officers other than lieutenants and sergeants to become commander.

Trosky is now the commander of Zone 2.

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