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Homewood standoff Investigations sought in 2 other incidents

Wednesday, March 27, 2002

By Timothy McNulty, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

City Council yesterday unanimously authorized Mayor Tom Murphy to hire an independent consultant to study police actions at a standoff in Homewood last month and two other recent incidents involving special police squads.

The measure, sponsored by Bob O'Connor with the support of the city police union, asks Murphy to hire a consultant named by the National Tactical Officers Association of Bucks County to study the Feb. 20 Homewood standoff, in which two officers and a suspect were shot.

In a last-minute change to the bill, council also asked for studies of police incidents in the West End March 7 and Troy Hill March 14. Both incidents, which the Fraternal Order of Police asked O'Connor to study, included special deployment officers in situations similar to the Homewood standoff.

Mayoral spokesman Craig Kwiecinski said Murphy "recognizes the need for an independent review" of the Homewood standoff but would not say if Murphy would use the organization council recommended.

The mayor, who has sole oversight of police management and Chief Robert W. McNeilly Jr., can accept or reject council's authorization. According to city Solicitor Jacqueline Morrow: "Council can ask [Murphy] to do whatever they want him to, but it's the mayor's choice whether to do it."

In an interview after the council meeting, McNeilly said he already has his own investigation of the Homewood standoff under way, by his critical incident review board staffed by police brass. He said that board plans to consult with outside experts from state and federal police agencies to study his bureau's policies and training.

Kwiecinski said such consultation by state and federal officials could satisfy Murphy's call for an independent review of police conduct.

O'Connor said the independent investigation was necessary to make sure police procedures were followed in the incidents and determine if they could be improved. Council had been poised to pay $21,000 for a study but yesterday held back from providing funding.

In a related matter, Councilman Sala Udin introduced a measure that would force police officers to testify before the Pittsburgh Citizen Police Review Board, in exchange for a guarantee their testimony would not be used against them in criminal proceedings.

Councilman Alan Hertzberg introduced another measure directing police to place speed display devices on Steuben Street in his district in hopes of persuading motorists to slow down.

Udin's and Hertzberg's bills are scheduled to be debated today.