PITTSBURGH, PA (July 9, 2019) Changes continue to be implemented in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police’s Narcotics and Vice Division following an October 2018 incident inside Kopy’s bar in the South Side, Mayor William Peduto and Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich announced today.
Commander Jason Lando, who has deep experience and background in narcotics and vice investigations, was placed in charge of the division in late June and began his new role yesterday. Furthermore, new guidelines have been implemented for undercover work and additional supervisory personnel are being deployed at the division.
After three independent investigations by the U.S. Attorney’s office, the District Attorney’s office and the city’s Office of Municipal Investigations – as well as interviews by Director Hissrich – no criminal charges have been filed against the four undercover detectives involved in the 2018 incident.
The Mayor and Director announced today that the four detectives will remain on the force, but reassigned to other positions in the Police Bureau.
