Representatives of women's groups told Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl yesterday that he should rescind three recent police promotions and institute a "zero tolerance" policy toward domestic abuse.

At an hour-plus meeting with representatives of 16 groups that attendees characterized as amicable, the mayor called the promotions controversy "a black eye" on the city and pledged to consider their requests and respond as early as today.

"We are looking at the possibility of rescinding these promotions," he said of the June 18 ascents of George T. Trosky to commander, Charles Rodriguez to lieutenant, and Eugene F. Hlavac to sergeant, in spite of allegations of domestic problems.

More important may be "a long-term policy and plan to deal with domestic violence and domestic abuse," the mayor said, starting with police, but extending throughout the city workforce.

A zero tolerance policy would "set such a tone in this community that no one can get away with domestic violence," said Shirl Regan, executive director of the Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.

Changes might also include administration input into promotions to sergeant and lieutenant, or the extension of a review panel's role. The mayor and the panel currently oversee only promotions to commander.

The women also asked for the return of officers dedicated to domestic-abuse cases to each zone station. The city had such officers, backed by federal funding, in the late 1990s, but the money dried up in 2001. The mayor said he would seek funding to reinstate the program.

"Hopefully, victims of domestic crime will understand that this is something the city is interested in," said Cynthia McCormick, chair of the Allegheny County and City of Pittsburgh Women's Commission. She is also the only member of the three-person Civil Service Commission to vote against Cmdr. Trosky's elevation.

The mayor didn't rule out demoting Cmdr. Trosky, accused of breaking his then-wife's nose in 1997, but noted that he "had input into that decision and I stand by that decision."

Contacted yesterday, Cmdr. Trosky's former wife, Cheryl DelDuca, said she did not think her ex-husband broke her nose on purpose.

"I don't think he meant to do it, to tell you the truth, because he wasn't normally violent," Ms. DelDuca said. "I think he felt bad about it."

Ms. DelDuca, 51, of Banksville, declined to go into detail about the incident but said she did not appear for a court hearing in August 1997 because "We were getting along."

As a result of her not showing up, the simple assault charge against then-Sgt. Trosky was dismissed.

"We're on friendly terms now. I don't really have anything bad to say," Ms. DelDuca said. "I just don't want to put him through any more hell."

The couple divorced in 1998.

The mayor maintained that he didn't know about allegations involving Lt. Rodriguez or Sgt. Hlavac until after their promotion ceremony. Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper said he knew of the allegations, but didn't tell the mayor.

"There was a disconnect in sharing of information regarding the other two, and that's unfortunate, and it won't happen again," the mayor said.

That drew a rebuke from former Fraternal Order of Police Vice President Charles Bosetti. "It is hypocritical of the mayor to appoint a commander with a record of egregious misconduct, and then blame the chief for not acknowledging the less serious misconduct of cops promoted to lesser ranks," he said.

Lt. Rodriguez faces a pending criminal case in Ingram, where police charged him with simple assault for an April incident with his daughter.

Retired police Lt. Philip Dacey, who was then-Officer Hlavac's supervisor, said that police were summoned to that officer's East Liberty apartment in January and found that he and his then-girlfriend had marks on them. "He said she threw a phone and hit him," Mr. Dacey said. "It was a he said, she said."

Two months later, Mr. Dacey said, he went with Sgt. Hlavac to the apartment after receiving a complaint and then witnessed a loud argument, but no physical contact. Mr. Dacey said he promised the complainant that he would check on the situation, and said Sgt. Hlavac "agreed to take me up there. He said he didn't touch her."

Sgt. Hlavac was transferred to the Hill District station, and superiors were briefed on what Mr. Dacey called his "anger issue."

Lauren Maughan, 20, who is Mr. Hlavac's former girlfriend and the mother of their 15-month-old son, said, "At no time was I a victim of domestic violence. I did not call 911 when the police were called for assistance."

"I find it outrageous that everyone is accusing Gene of domestic violence offenses except me, the alleged victim," Ms. Maughan said.

Mr. Hlavac's attorney, Phillip DiLucente, said, "I think that after 15 years of public service and dedication to finally reach the ranks of sergeant through promotion, I think that unfounded, inconsistent and improper conjecture should not even have the possibility of reversal of promotion."

Chief Harper said that any investigation of those or other incidents would be handled by the city's Office of Municipal Investigations and would be confidential.

"I still feel that these individuals are worthy of promotion," he said of the three officers.

Fraternal Order of Police President James Malloy has said the union will take the city to court if the mayor reverses promotions or tampers with civil service rules.

That threat is "certainly part of the consideration," the mayor said.

The city Police Bureau has a handful of policies dealing with domestic violence involving police officers.

Regulations call for a supervisor to respond to the scene if an officer is involved in suspected domestic violence. Officers are obligated to notify their supervisor if they are named in a civil suit involving allegations of domestic violence.

If an officer is served with a protection from abuse order, the city's Office of Municipal Investigations must be notified.

Those brief mentions fall far short of an eight-page model policy drafted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

The policy provides for prevention, training, early warning, intervention and responses. It suggests that departments contact family and intimate partners of new hires to introduce the policy, and maintain contact. It also puts the onus on officers to report suspected abuse by colleagues.

"Having the policy doesn't solve the entire issue. It's a statement," said Aviva Kurash, the association's project manager for Police Response to Violence Against Women.