The Pittsburgh Police, or officially the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, is the largest law enforcement agency in Western Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1857 but dates back to the night watchmen of the late 1700's in the then borough of Pittsburgh.

Organization

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The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is headed by a Chief appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council. The Chief of Police is the top law enforcement agent of the city of Pittsburgh. In the Chiefs council are the positions of:

• Deputy Chief of Police Bureau
• Chief of Staff Pittsburgh Police
• Public Affairs Manager Pittsburgh Police
• Legal Advisor to Pittsburgh Police

Reporting directly through the Deputy Chief of Police to the Chief are the three active units of the Police Bureau, Operations, Investigations and Administration. Each one is headed by an Assistant Chief.

Operations Unit

Headed by the Assistant Chief of Operations, this unit is the most visible arm of the Pittsburgh Police Bureau. It consists of the 5 zones and zone captains (the updated form of precints), all zone patrol and response operations, SWAT, Traffic patrol, and Impound. This is also the unit that does community policing.

The five Pittsburgh Police zones are:

• Zone One: Northside
• Zone Two: Downtown, Hill District, Strip District, Lawrenceville
• Zone Three: Southside, West End
• Zone Four: Universities, Oakland, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside
• Zone Five: East Liberty, East End, Homewood

Investigations Unit

Headed by the Assistant Chief of Investigations Nathan Harper, this unit overlays the operations staff with the dectective and inspector corps of the Police Bureau. It's detective divisions are broken down into the following:

• Auto taskforce
• Arson Squad
• Burglary Squad
• Crime Stoppers
• Crime Unit
• Dignitary & Witness Security
• Firearms Tracking
• Forfeture & Seizures
• Gang Task Force
• Homicide Squad
• Missing Persons
• Narcotics
• Night Felony Squad
• Nuisance Bar Task Force
• Pawn
• Robbery Squad
• Sex Assault/Domestic Violence Squad
• Financial Crimes Task Force

Administration Unit

Headed by the Assistant Chief of Administration, this is the least visible unit of the bureau but one that is possibly the most essential. It consists of eight major divisions.

• Intel (Crime Analysis)
• Police Academy/Training
• Personnel & Finance
• School Patrol
• Special Events Logistics
• Warrant Office
• Records
• Property Room

Ranks of the Pittsburgh Police

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• Chief of Police
• Deputy Chief
• Assistant Chiefs (3)
• Commanders ()
• Lieutenants
• Sergeants
• Detectives
• Officers

Structure

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Modern era

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5 Line of Duty Deaths 6 Scandals and corruption 7 Pittsburgh Police Medals 8 Affiliations

Fictional portrayals

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The Pittsburgh Police have been featured in many television and film portrayals. Among them:

Television

• The X Files
• Smith
• The Guardian
• Sirens mid-90's Cinemax series about female Pittsburgh Police officers.

Film

• Desperate Measures Pittsburgh Police double for San Franciscans as Andy Garcia hunts a demented Michael Keaton.
• Dawn of the Dead (1978) Pittsburgh Police--among others--mount a defense against zombies in this political satire against "mall culture"
• Sudden Death Pittsburgh Police and SWAT respond to the U.S. Vice President being held hostage at the Stanley Cup Finals at Mellon Arena.
• Striking Distance Bruce Willis and Sarah Jessica Parker play Pittsburgh police officers.
• Screwed a comedy about a shrewd Pittsburgh Police detective and a kidnapping gone crazy.
• Wonder Boys a "boyscout" hounds Michael Douglas' character in the morning hours at the professors house.
• Hoffa a motorcycle cop in 1960's urban America pulls over Danny DiVito's character outside of Gateway Center.
• Boys on the Side Pittsburgh Police chase down Drew Barrymore.

External links

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• Pittsburgh Police

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania United States municipal police departments