Closed-Door Meeting Held Over Controversial Police Promotions

POSTED: 3:02 pm EDT June 27, 2007
UPDATED: 5:11 pm EDT June 27, 2007

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl recently had a change of heart when it came to the controversial promotions within the city's police department.

Three men, all at some point charged with domestic abuse against women, recently moved up in rank and were sworn in by Ravenstahl.

At a closed-door meeting on Wednesday, City-County Women's Commission head Cynthia McCormick met with Ravenstahl and police Chief Nate Harper on the issue.

McCormick asked Ravenstahl to consider rescinding the promotions.

"The mayor rescinding the promotions, and we shared our opinion about that, and he assured us he'll have a decision for us shortly," said McCormick.

Ravenstahl said all three promotions are on the table and being looked at. There is no word yet on whether the city will demote all or any of the officers.

"I want to make sure I have all the information at my disposal before I make a decision ultimately on what to do from here," Ravenstahl said.

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

But Ravenstahl, who still backs Trosky, 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 on Tuesday. "I'm upset that I didn't know. And I let the chief know that he should have communicated that to me."

The Fraternal Order of Police said that if the two were demoted, it would file a contract grievance and seek binding arbitration.

Since Trosky is now in management and not covered by the union, he could ask the union to take up his cause if he was demoted. The union would vote on whether to back him.

"If he wants to rescind them, I don't think he can do that," said FOP attorney Brian Campbell. "Once you've been promoted, and if he wants to demote you, there has to be just cause for the demotion."

Ravenstahl said promotions would be handled differently from now on.

"To make sure that when decisions on this are made in the future, there is more criteria and more information considered before they are made," Ravenstahl said.

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

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