Pittsburgh’s 911 policy reflects police recruitment challenges
Pittsburgh Implements New Policy to Reroute Early Morning Emergency Calls
In an effort to optimize police presence and improve work-life balance for officers, Pittsburgh has recently made a significant policy change regarding early morning emergency calls. This decision comes just one year after the mayor’s plan to triple police presence downtown.
Effective February 22, calls received between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. for non-in-progress crimes such as theft, harassment, and criminal mischief will now be rerouted to the Telephone Reporting Unit. This unit operates from 7 a.m. until 3 a.m. the following day, allowing incidents occurring within the four-hour window to be collected for follow-up during the morning shift.
To ensure accessibility to emergency services during these hours, the city will also install blue phones that directly connect to emergency services outside all six police zones and the Downtown Public Safety Center.
While this policy change means that there will be 12 fewer officers on duty citywide, Pittsburgh Police will continue to handle priority calls 24/7. The redistribution of manpower aims to address the specific needs of each shift, preventing overburdening during the busiest shift and overstaffing during the least busy shift.
It’s important to note that the phone reporting unit will not handle calls for active incidents such as shots fired, panic alarms, domestic violence, suicide threats, crashes with injuries, robberies, and burglar alarms. These types of reports only account for 8% of calls received in the early morning hours.
Staffing Challenges and the City’s Plan for Crime Reduction
Police Chief Larry Scirotto explained that staffing challenges were a driving force behind this policy change, as it allows for better utilization of the city’s 740 officers. By not dispatching officers to every call, more resources can be allocated to respond to urgent incidents.
However, this decision raises questions about the city’s plan to address concerns about rising crime downtown. In February 2023, the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy emphasized that rising crime was a pressing matter for downtown businesses.
Mayor Gainey had previously pledged to increase law enforcement presence in the neighborhood three-fold and establish a 24/7 public safety center staffed with officers and social workers. The public safety center opened on February 21, just one day before the new 911 policy and other changes were announced.
Gainey expressed confidence in the progress already made by Pittsburgh Police in reducing crime downtown and providing crisis response. He believes that the new public safety center will further support downtown businesses and effectively address crime.
In addition to these initiatives, the department is also focusing on improving recruitment. A team of officers will serve as “adjunct recruiters,” guiding applicants through the entire application process, including written and physical fitness tests, background checks, selection panels, psychological exams, and medical evaluations.
“This is where the bureau loses a significant amount of applicants, even before they enter the academy,” explained Cara Cruz, public information officer for the Department of Public Safety. The new recruitment team aims to address this issue and ensure a smoother process for aspiring officers.
How will the redistribution of manpower improve the work-life balance of the police force and enhance overall public safety
Injuries, or any situation where immediate police response is necessary. All calls of this nature will continue to be directed to on-duty officers.
This new policy stems from the city’s ongoing efforts to find innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by its police force. By rerouting non-in-progress calls to the Telephone Reporting Unit, Pittsburgh aims to optimize police presence during the early morning hours, which historically have lower crime rates. This will allow officers to focus their attention on priority calls and emergencies, ensuring a more efficient response time.
In addition to improving police presence, this policy change also considers the well-being of the officers. By redistributing manpower, Pittsburgh Police aims to create a more balanced workload across shifts. This will help prevent overburdening during the busiest shifts and overstaffing during the least busy shifts, ultimately improving the work-life balance of the police force.
To ensure accessibility to emergency services during the early morning hours, the city will install blue phones that directly connect to emergency services outside all six police zones and the Downtown Public Safety Center. These phones will provide a reliable and immediate means of communication for individuals in need of emergency assistance during the designated window.
While there will be 12 fewer officers on duty citywide as a result of this policy change, it is important to note that Pittsburgh Police will continue to handle priority calls round the clock. The redistribution of manpower aims to optimize resources and address the specific needs of each shift, ultimately enhancing overall public safety.
It is significant to highlight that the implementation of this new policy does not mean a compromise in emergency response for active incidents. Calls for situations such as shots fired, panic alarms, domestic violence, suicide threats, and crashes with injuries will continue to be handled by on-duty officers, ensuring swift and appropriate responses.
Pittsburgh’s decision to reroute early morning non-in-progress emergency calls and redistribute manpower is a strategic and forward-thinking move that aims to improve police presence, optimize resources, and enhance the well-being of its officers. By adopting this new policy, the city demonstrates its commitment to evolving and adapting to better meet the needs of its community and ensure the safety of its residents.
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