Allegheny County officials will ask state and national emergency management agencies to audit the county 911 center in the wake of a communication failure involving the fatal shootings of three Pittsburgh police officers.

County Executive Dan Onorato blamed a 911 call-taker for failing to relay to the officers a warning about weapons in the Stanton Heights home of accused killer Richard Poplawski.

He said he wants the outside review of procedures and training protocols to ensure the mistake was solely one of "human error."

The dispatcher, who officials have declined to identify, remains on paid administrative leave, said county Emergency Services Chief Bob Full.

She has been too distraught to provide officials with a clear account of why she did not inform a police dispatcher that weapons were in the home of Margaret Poplawski whose son, Richard, 22, has been charged with shooting the officers to death with a shotgun and AK-47.

As a result of the error, Full said dispatchers have been instructed to carefully question 911 callers about weapons that police might encounter when responding to domestic violence and other potentially dangerous incidents.

Full said he wants a new 911 computer system being installed to "red-flag" addresses where police are frequently sent. That information could provide police with an added warning. The current system retains three months of prior incidents. He wants the new one to retain up to five years.

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