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Ordinance supplementing the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title One: Administrative, Article III, Organization, Chapter 116: Department of Public Safety, Chapter 116.02 Powers and Duties of Bureau Chiefs and Director of Public Safety, by adding a new Subsection VI entitled "Publication Review of Operating Procedures and Policies of the Bureau of Police."
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Whereas, the best way to improve Pittsburgh residents' public safety is to increase their confidence in Pittsburgh's Bureau of Police; and,
Whereas, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police can become a more effective police Department by investing in Technology, Training and Transparency; and,
Whereas, public publication review of Pittsburgh's Bureau of Police's Standard Operating Policies and Procedures will increase police transparency; and,
Whereas, the purpose of the Pittsburgh's Bureau of Police's Standard Operating Policies and Procedures is to explain the organization, policies, and procedures of the Police Department; and,
Whereas, these Standard Operating Policies and Procedures are broadly stated principles and values intended to guide Pittsburgh's Bureau of Police members in the performance of their duties in conformity with department objectives; and,
Whereas, adherence to the Pittsburgh's Bureau of Police's Standard Operating Policies and Procedures ensure the Department's mandate to the continued protection and enhancement
of our diverse neighborhoods by working in partnership with our citizens to creatively solve problems always remaining sensitive to the authority with which they're entrusted; and,
Whereas, adherence to the Pittsburgh's Bureau of Police's Standard Operating Policies and Procedures encourages the Department to provide committed service through accountability, integrity and respect; and,
Whereas Police Departments in cities including Los Angeles California, , Seattle Washington, Chicago Illinois, Portland Oregon, Tampa Florida, Louisville Kentucky, Denver Colorado, Houston Texas, Albuquerque New Mexico, Milwaukee Wisconsin, Atlanta Georgia, along with many other County, State and University police forces around the Country have made their Standard Operating Policies and Procedures public; and,
Whereas public publication review of the Pittsburgh's Bureau of Police's Standard Operating Policies and Procedures will provide Pittsburgh residents a greater understanding of appropriate policy behavior; and,
Whereas public publication review of the Pittsburgh's Bureau of Police's Standard Operating Policies and Procedures will provide Pittsburgh residents a standard by which to judge the appropriateness of specific police actions; and,
Whereas public publication review of the Pittsburgh's Bureau of Police's Standard Operating Policies and Procedures will provide Pittsburgh residents a greater confidence in the Bureau of Police.
The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Section 116.02 Powers and Duties of Bureau Chiefs and Director of Public Safety, is hereby supplemented as follows:
ยง 116.02 - Powers and Duties of Bureau Chiefs and Director of Public Safety.
VI. Publication Review of Operating Procedures and Policies of the Bureau of Police
a. The Bureau of Police shall publish, annually, an abridged public version of its operating policies and procedures;
The Citizen Police Review Board shall review proposed changes and amendments to the operating policies and procedures of the Bureau of Police for the purpose of providing advice and comments for consideration by the Chief of the Bureau of Police.;
b. The Bureau shall redact such information that, in the opinion of the City Solicitor and the Director of Public Safety, that would jeopardize departmental preparedness, public safety or the protection of residents;
All records pertaining to the Citizen Police Review Board's advice and comments shall be considered drafts of policy statements or of management directives.
c. The Bureau shall publish, in paper and electronic form, said abridged version of its operating procedures and policies and make the same readily available to the public.