Survey of Pittsburgh police officers shows 'no confidence' in chief
Survey says: “No confidence.”
An unofficial vote among Pittsburgh police union members on whether they have confidence in Chief Cameron McLay resulted in a resounding “no.”
Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1 confirmed that a majority of the police union members who took part in the vote – which was available as a one-question survey on the FOP website starting Aug. 20 – indicated they have no confidence in McLay's leadership.
Of the FOP's active members, 291 - about 40 percent - voted in the unofficial survey, FOP President Robert Swartzwelder confirmed.
Of the 291 voters, 277 indicated they do not have confidence in McLay's ability to lead the department. Fourteen said they do.
The survey, though unofficial, likely presages an official no confidence vote at Thursday's regularly scheduled FOP meeting.
“Any time a police chief attempts significant changes to an organization's approach to policing, cultural resistance and pushback are normal and inevitable. I fully expected such resistance when I came here. Facing confidence votes is simply one of the realities faced by major city police chiefs today,” McLay responded to the survey outcome in a written statement.
“I have great confidence in the hard-working officers who serve this community well every single day, and they will always be the focus of my efforts.”
The results come two weeks after Swartzwelder and city officials sat down to talk labor issues Aug. 29, talks that the outspoken union president characterized as having solved nothing.
Swartzwelder said he and Peduto are due to meet again Tuesday.
Peduto said he continued to have “full confidence in Chief McLay and in his efforts to improve the bureau to better serve the residents of Pittsburgh. Reform is never easy in any organization, and we will continue to work with the men and women of the Police Bureau to strengthen morale.”
The timing of the no confidence vote – posted to the FOP website Aug. 20 and running for just over three weeks – ruffled feathers among some city brass.
An internal email from Peduto Chief of Staff Kevin Acklin indicated frustration with the union for the perceived poke in the eye immediately following Peduto's pledge to sit down and meet with FOP leaders.
“I was personally disappointed to learn that an online no confidence vote regarding Chief McLay was posted on the FOP website within hours of the mayor's commitment to call a meeting.” Acklin wrote.
The email also indicated some officers may have been circumventing McLay and going straight to Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich.
Acklin said in the email they he'd met with McLay and Hissrich to “clarify respective roles and responsibilities, so that officers are clear that while (Hissrich) oversees financial, disciplinary and promotion matters, (McLay) and command staff are in full control of the operations of the bureau.”
Swartzwelder has said that union members asked for the no confidence vote.
In 1997, the union voted no confidence in then-Chief Robert McNeilly after voters approved a referendum creating the Citizen Police Review Board, which holds independent hearings on allegations of police misconduct. McNeilly continued as chief for nearly nine more years.
Though the vote has no official ramifications, it highlights the friction between the union and McLay that began shortly after McLay came to Pittsburgh in September 2014.
McLay ruffled feathers within months when an online photo was circulated showing him in uniform at the city's 2014 First Night celebration, holding a sign that read: “I resolve to challenge racism at work. #EndWhiteSilence”
This spring, the union and chief butted heads in the aftermath of the May 1 Pittsburgh Marathon, when only about 30 officers volunteered to fill 110 spots to provide event security and some off-duty officers were forced to work, Swartzwelder said at the time.
The same issue arose two weeks later in advance of the Beyonce concert at Heinz Field.
Swartzwelder filed unfair labor complaints in both instances.
Other issues have ranged from ongoing unhappiness over a long-standing rule that requires officers to live in the city to a rally in mid-April for GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump where officers were not permitted to wear riot gear. Several officers complained of being pepper-sprayed during the rally, and four received minor injuries.
Most recently, Swartzwelder blasted McLay for his appearance at last month's Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, where McLay appeared in uniform and spoke briefly about current issues in policing.
McLay asked the Office of Municipal Investigations and Citizens Police Review Board to investigate the appearance. The OMI concluded McLay's appearance was apolitical, and therefore did not violate city code. The CPRB, however, concluded the chief did violate policy, though Peduto, who has the final ruling, said McLay will face no discipline.
Megan Guza is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 412-380-8519 or mguza@tribweb.com.
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The statement from Chief McLay:
Any time a police chief attempts significant changes to an organization's approach to policing, cultural resistance and pushback are normal and inevitable. I fully expected such resistance when I came here. Facing confidence votes is simply one of the realities faced by major city police chiefs today.
No confidence votes only have such meaning as assigned to them by government officials. I cannot control any of this.
The best metaphor is a car in a skid; you don't look in the direction the car is sliding, you look and steer where you want the car to go.
I am focusing on keeping the Police Bureau moving in the same positive direction we have been heading. I am focusing on how to best meet the needs of my members and prepare them to meet the high standards of accountability placed upon them. It is our collective responsibility to serve this community well.
I have great confidence in the hard-working officers who serve this community well every single day, and they will always be the focus of my efforts.
