Bureau of Police

Mission

Through our commitment to professional service to all, the Bureau of Police is a source of pride for our City and a benchmark for policing excellence. The Bureau of Police stands ready to protect human life, serve without reservation or favor, stand as partners with all, and help all communities live free from fear.

Departmental/Bureau Overview

The Bureau of Police provides law enforcement and public safety services to Pittsburgh’s residents and visitors. The Bureau is organized into the Chief’s Office and three branches which are each led by a sworn Assistant Chief of Police. Chief’s Office - Leadership of the Bureau of Police is vested in the Chief of Police, who is responsible for the overall management, effectiveness, and efficiency of the Bureau. Through the Chief of Staff, the Chief's Office also oversees Bureau initiatives, recruitment efforts, and employee wellness programs.

Professional Standards Branch – Professional Standards divided into two units, Professional Development and Professional Services and Support. Professional Development provides all of the training to ensure quality police services to the community and to maintain public trust. The Professional Services and Support section is responsible for processing court records and telephone report taking, warrant activities, maintaining evidence, and technology coordination and the Office of Strategy, Accountability and Resiliency (OSAR). OSAR oversees the Bureau’s accreditation status; maintains overall responsibility for compliance to rules, regulations, General Orders, Special Orders and Procedural Orders that guides the operation of the Bureau and its employees; initiates and ensures the timely completion of Critical Incident Reviews and reviews Bureau collisions; serves as the Bureau’s Inspector General and ensures that the Bureau and its employees maintain the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and ethics. The Professional Standards branch also includes the following divisions:

• Professional Development
• Basic Recruit
• In-service and professional development
• Professional Services and Support
• Office of Strategy, Accountability and Resiliency
• Office of Municipal Investigations - Detectives
• Records Room
• Telephone Reporting Unit
• Court Liaison Unit
• Summary Warrant Squad
• Property / Supply Room
• Computer Operations Liaison Unit
• Fleet Operations Investigations Branch - The Investigations Branch provides dedicated law enforcement support to the investigation and clearance of crimes against persons and property. There are two (2) Divisions that make up the Investigations Branch: Major Crimes and Violent Crimes. Members of the Investigations Branch are responsible for the investigation of criminal offenses, the detection, arrest and prosecution of criminals and the recovery of lost/stolen property to return to its rightful owner.
• Major Crimes Division
• Burglary
• Fire Investigations
• Auto Theft
• SVU 166

• Domestic violence
• Mobile Crime Unit
• Computer Crimes
• Witness Protection Program
• Violent Crimes Division
• Violent Crimes Unit
• Narcotics
• Violence Prevention Unit
• Intelligence
• Real Time Crime Center
• Crime Analysis Unit
• Firearms Tracking
• Graffiti Operations Branch - Operations is responsible for providing law enforcement services to the citizens and visitors of the City of Pittsburgh. Operational personnel are deployed throughout the city in six geographic Zones and the Special Deployment Division (SDD). The Zones are the direct patrol and enforcement throughout the City’s neighborhoods. SDD is responsible for specially trained units that support the City’s safety and security needs. The Operations Branch consists of the following Divisions:
• Police Zones 1-6
• Special Deployment Division
• Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)
• River Rescue
• Collision Investigations
• Impaired Driver Section
• Explosive Ordinance Detachment (EOD)
• K-9 Operations
• Tow Operations
• Commercial Vehicle
• Mounted Unit
• Planning/Special Events 2026 Accomplishments
• Thanks to a generous grant from the Nese Foundation, the PBP is in the process of hiring a full-time Recruitment Specialist to lead our police recruitment efforts. At this time, we are nearing the final round of the hiring process, with interviews taking place in late Sept/Early Oct.
• In September, the PBP hired its first-ever Head of Wellness. Aaron Vander Meer was selected for this role and has spent the past month visiting all duty locations, participating in ride-alongs with officers and supervisors, and working to gain an understanding of the culture of the PBP. Thus far, he has been very well-received by our team.
• In January, 2026, the Bureau of Police resumed its “Youth Connections” initiative. The YC program is led by Sgt. Celena Celender, and involves Pittsburgh Police officers, detectives, and supervisors going into city schools and engaging in meaningful discussions and exercises designed to build stronger relationships between cops and teens.
• The Bureau continues a significant five-year downward trend in non-fatal shootings, reducing year-to-date incidents from 101 in 2022 to 48 in 2026.
• Led by Commander Jeff Abraham and Sgt. Andrew Robinson, the PBP implemented an innovative summer safety plan in collaboration with Zone 3/South Side community leaders. This plan involved the closure of a stretch of E. Carson Street to vehicular traffic on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer. Thanks to this innovative strategy, the PBP saw a sharp decrease in criminal activity during the weekends in South Side. 167

The labor agreement for FOP Ft. Pitt Lodge #1 members expired on December 31, 2025. This budget reflects a 0% salary increase for members as conversations continue through Q4 of 2026. The City anticipates that these numbers will change.

BUREAU OF POLICE

2027 Expenditures by Subclass 56 - SUPPLIES 57 - PROPERTY 54 - PROPERTY SERVICES 53 - PROF. & TECHNICAL SERVICES