Pittsburgh police Chief Scott Schubert explained in a Facebook post Sunday why he participated in a Friday protest in the city’s Beechview neighborhood.
Schubert didn’t plan on participating, but said being there helps him gauge how police can best respond to protests, he wrote in a Facebook post.
He was encouraged to participate by Sgt. Tiffany Costa of the department’s Civil Affairs Unit. Organizers of the protest also encouraged police to participate, Schubert wrote.
“At first I said no. I didn’t want to detract from the protest by doing something that might be viewed as a publicity stunt. But when the time came to march, and then to take a knee, it felt like the right thing to do,” Schubert wrote.
“I did it for all minorities who have experienced decades—centuries, actually—of systemic racism and discrimination. I did it for all of those people around me on Friday, peaceful protesters who want real and meaningful change, not ill-conceived, knee-jerk reactions,” Schubert wrote. “I did it because that neighborhood is where I grew up — I went to Brashear High School, just like the protest organizer, an amazing young woman who I think is going to be an incredible leader. I also did it for our officers. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has focused for years on building bridges with all of our communities, and I want the public to see that, too.”
As police chief, he’s responsible for everyone’s safety and he tries to do “everything possible to help calm situations and guide people through chaotic and traumatic events,” Schubert wrote.
“If it can show the protesters that I see them, if it can help people get a better understanding of our officers’ efforts to help everyone, if it can somehow calm emotions even a little so all of us can work together towards meaningful change—then I’ll do it again,” his post concluded.
