Three city police lieutenants — who have a combined 75 years of service with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police — achieved the rank of commander, and nine others were also promoted at a ceremony Tuesday.
“They’ve all been promoted based on merit,” public safety director Stephen Bucar said. “They’re the future of the organization.”
He called the selection process for promotions fair and objective, and said he hopes they will inspire others to recognize their potential.
Mayor Bill Peduto said during the ceremony: “It sends a signal to every officer in the bureau, there is a place for you if you want the responsibility, to work your way up that ladder by doing what is right. And to the community, those officers who do what is right will be rewarded.”
The dozen who were promoted include some raised in the city and some who moved here just to be officers, some whose fathers and mothers served and wore the same uniform, “and those that knew from the time they were 8 that they were born to be a police officer and wanted to wear a uniform with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police,” Mr. Peduto said.
Daniel Herrmann, 60, has worked for the bureau since September 1983.
He moves from the major crimes unit to Zone 4, where he replaces Kathy Degler, who will take on the role of commander in support services, the bureau said.
Elizabeth Pittinger, executive director of the Citizen Police Review Board, said his promotion was long overdue.
“Cmdr. Herrmann has done a great job with major crimes for so long,” she said. “He’s a steady guy. You can rely on him.”
Jennifer Ford, 49, has 24 years of experience in Pittsburgh, and will move from the training academy to the office of professional standards, the creation of which was announced after the ceremony.
Christopher Ragland, 43, joined the city police in August 1994. He will continue to work in Zone 6 and the special deployment division and replaces Jason Lando, who is moving to Zone 5, as commander.
Three sergeants were promoted to lieutenant during the ceremony.
William Blair will move from Zone 3 to Zone 1. Orders are pending for Shirley Epperson, who worked in narcotics and vice, and Kevin Wilson, who comes from Zone 3.
The city’s operating budget for 2015 lists the salary for a commander at $92,178 and a $78,988 salary for lieutenants.
During the ceremony, six were promoted to sergeant: Colleen Bristow, Richard Ford, Duane Schick, Matthew Turko, Caytlin Wood and James Glick, who is the vice president of the Pittsburgh police union.
First Published: March 3, 2015, 8:46 p.m.
Updated: March 4, 2015, 4:20 a.m.
