Pittsburgh's Finest leaving in droves (Hampton: school, income, taxes)

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by gladhands

The Allegheny County Police only police county property; North Park, South Park. It's a completely unnecessary department.

Obviously many disagree as there's a force and I've never heard anyone or anything argue against it. I expect every time a shooting happens elsewhere, residents are happy to have the police manpower.

[tyovan4]

Originally Posted by gladhands

The Allegheny County Police only police county property; North Park, South Park and the airport. It's a completely unnecessary department.

Not true.

They offer specialized assistance to municipal police forces in Allegheny County that lack certain capabilities - such as: Audio and Video Forensic Unit, EOD, Narcotic Detection K9, SWAT, and mounted patrol.
Police | Police Services | Allegheny County

They also have homicide detectives. Who are taking the lead in investigating the Wilkinsburg shooting.
Morton to serve as interim county police superintendent | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by tyovan4

Not true.

They offer specialized assistance to municipal police forces in Allegheny County that lack certain capabilities - such as: Audio and Video Forensic Unit, EOD, Narcotic Detection K9, SWAT, and mounted patrol.
Police | Police Services | Allegheny County

They also have homicide detectives. Who are taking the lead in investigating the Wilkinsburg shooting.
Morton to serve as interim county police superintendent | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Excellent info.

[norcider]

The city police force conduct stings that catch out of state drug traffickers all the time. They have way more on their plate than catching kids partying in the woods and harassing suburbanites for going 30 in a 25. It is also not easy for police to get full time jobs in municipalities outside of the city and many work part time to get their feet in the door. If the city cops want to leave for greener pastures I could care less. Leaves opportunities for more dedicated prospects. There's also part of the force that is and will be retiring. I doubt all of the departing cops are whiny millennials wanting the ability to live outside the city.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by norcider

The city police force conduct stings that catch out of state drug traffickers all the time. They have way more on their plate than catching kids partying in the woods and harassing suburbanites for going 30 in a 25. It is also not easy for police to get full time jobs in municipalities outside of the city and many work part time to get their feet in the door. If the city cops want to leave for greener pastures I could care less. Leaves opportunities for more dedicated prospects. There's also part of the force that is and will be retiring. I doubt all of the departing cops are whiny millennials wanting the ability to live outside the city.

"All"? No...but I expect many, according to the article.

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by tyovan4

Not true.

They offer specialized assistance to municipal police forces in Allegheny County that lack certain capabilities - such as: Audio and Video Forensic Unit, EOD, Narcotic Detection K9, SWAT, and mounted patrol.
Police | Police Services | Allegheny County

They also have homicide detectives. Who are taking the lead in investigating the Wilkinsburg shooting.
Morton to serve as interim county police superintendent | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Most local police departments who lack those services get them from the state police. Wilkinsburg could do the same. There is no reason to maintain an Allegheny County police force.

[tyovan4]

Originally Posted by gladhands

Most local police departments who lack those services get them from the state police. Wilkinsburg could do the same. There is no reason to maintain an Allegheny County police force.

We're the second most populous county in the state.
Personally, I see a benefit to having a specialized police force that is locally headquartered.
The introduction of Park Rangers into County Parks was also meant to allow the County Police to focus more on police work other than patrolling.

I'm curious - how do you feel about the County Health Department? Should we also abolish that agency and rely on the PA Dept of Health instead?

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by norcider

If the city cops want to leave for greener pastures I could care less. Leaves opportunities for more dedicated prospects. There's also part of the force that is and will be retiring. I doubt all of the departing cops are whiny millennials wanting the ability to live outside the city.

There is no sin or lack of dedication for anyone who seeks a new job to ply their trade, especially one with better work conditions and better pay.


Any working man has to be concerned about his own family's well being, and more pay, a better school district, and maybe better chances for a promotion in a new department.

[Merge]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

There is no sin or lack of dedication for anyone who seeks a new job to ply their trade, especially one with better work conditions and better pay.


Any working man has to be concerned about his own family's well being, and more pay, a better school district, and maybe better chances for a promotion in a new department.

Better chances for promotion when a policeman leaves the city for a tiny municipal police force in the suburbs? How do you figure?

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by Merge

Better chances for promotion when a policeman leaves the city for a tiny municipal police force in the suburbs? How do you figure?

Depends on the individual circumstances of course, but if an officer thinks he has little chance for promotion in the city because of political concerns and nepotism, a smaller force might offer a better chance.

A lot of the outlying forces are aging as well, and if someone is hired by (e.g.) Ross, he might be in a better position to apply for a higher position in Pine or Hampton.



Please remember that the Pittsburgh PD has gone outside of their department for brass, the current chief is from Wisconsin, that had to be a kick in the butt for officers and supervisors who "stayed committed" to the city department. Maybe if an officer takes a job, gets promoted in Mccandless, he might be able to come back for a big job in Pittsburgh again.