PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is having a change of heart when it comes to the controversial promotions within the city's police department.

Three men, all at some point charged with domestic violence against women, recently moved up in rank.

Cmdr. George Trosky was accused of breaking his wife's nose in 1997. Charges were dropped after she didn't show up to court.

Ravenstahl said he was not aware of domestic situations involving Lt. Charles Rodriguez and Sgt. Eugene Hlavac.

"I did not know of those individuals and their history or allegations that were out there, and I now do," Ravenstahl said. "I'm upset that I didn't know. And I let the chief know that he should have communicated that to me."

Ravenstahl is calling those promotions "unacceptable." He is attacking the department's method for promoting officers, saying it is "obsolete."

But Ravenstahl seemed to have different thoughts last week when he swore in the three officers who have been involved with the domestic situations.

Ravenstahl and Police Chief Nate Harper asked for a change to the Civil Service rules so the detective could rise to the commander level.

Last week, WTAE Channel 4 Action News asked Ravenstahl about the promotions and if he was concerned about their effects on morale.

"I think it's clear that if the individual is in police bureau and do the job they're supposed to do and are good officers in their career, it shows they have an opportunity to advance," Ravenstahl said then.

A special Council hearing on this issue has been called for Thursday.

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