Police officers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will no longer respond to low-priority calls that the department says do not require an in-person response, instead redirecting them to the call division.
The Pittsburgh Police Department said in a statement that it responds to “ongoing emergencies” such as when medical assistance is needed, domestic disputes, calls with evidence, or when the Mobile Crimes Unit is requested to process the scene. announced that it will continue to respond. change.
WPXI-TV reports that the telephone reporting unit will respond to calls for theft, harassment, criminal mischief and burglar alarms.
The changes take effect Monday as part of the department’s major operational adjustments aimed at allocating resources in a more efficient manner to better serve the public, Secretary Larry Sirotto said in a statement. He said he did.
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The Pittsburgh Police Department will be redirecting low-priority calls to an enhanced call reporting unit. (Pittsburgh Police Department)
Officers will also move from the traditional five-day, eight-hour work week to four 10-hour shifts, and officers will be given three consecutive days off.
“Taking an extra day off from work each week to focus on family, friends, or outside responsibilities is key to creating a healthy workforce and not just recruiting new police officers, but retaining them for the long term.” It also contributes to the department’s goals,” said Ciotto. .
Over the past few years, police departments across the country have been looking for ways to improve officer retention and recruitment, with many police departments reporting staffing shortages amid anti-police sentiment.
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But critics in Pittsburgh say that when police officers are called, citizens expect them to show up.
“That’s kind of the whole point of police, right? If you call the police, they’re going to be there,” resident Ray Matthews told WTAE-TV. “That’s the point. If you call and they don’t come, you know what’s the point of calling in the first place?”
Some residents are concerned about changes to the Pittsburgh Police Department. (Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, File)
City Councilman Anthony Cogill told WPXI-TV he expects officers to respond to certain calls.
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“When it comes to harassment and this type of thing, it’s better to have police officers there,” Coghill said. “That’s what the public expects. That’s what I expect from our city.”
