Officer fired over domestic violence
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One of the three city of Pittsburgh police officers whose promotions prompted a new domestic violence ordinance was fired yesterday under its protocols.
As he announced the firing of Sgt. Eugene Hlavac, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said he will introduce today a proposed domestic violence ordinance that would extend many of the rules now in place for police accused of domestic violence to the city's entire 3,300-person work force.
That drew praise from advocates for women, who have been urging expansion of the city's ordinance since 2007.
"This has been an important goal," said Heather Arnet, executive director of the Women & Girls Foundation. "Our goal is that all employers should have strong domestic violence policies, but most especially the employees who serve the city, and the public, and who are compensated through our tax dollars."
Mr. Hlavac was promoted in 2007 along with two other officers who had faced domestic violence allegations, and one who had not. The promotions by police brass, approved by Mr. Ravenstahl despite his knowledge of the history of one of the officers, was the subject of protests and public hearings.
The mayor said he could not reverse the promotions, but backed what he called a "zero tolerance" ordinance. It set up rules for investigating domestic violence accusations against police, disciplining officers when allegations are substantiated, and preventing the hiring or promotion of those subject to protection from abuse orders.
The investigation protocols kicked in after Mr. Hlavac was charged after a Dec. 18 incident that resulted in his ex-girlfriend, Lauren Maughan, accusing him of dislocating her jaw. He was charged with felony aggravated assault, which was reduced by a district judge to misdemeanor simple assault. The criminal case is pending, and Mr. Hlavac is subject to a protection from abuse order and a judge's order to turn all of his guns over to the Allegheny County Sheriff.
The city's policy does not require that a police officer accused of domestic violence be fired, unless convicted, but it doesn't rule out termination. Yesterday, Public Safety Director Michael Huss said in a news release that a thorough investigation preceded the decision to fire Mr. Hlavac.
First Published January 8, 2010 12:00 am
