Pittsburgh police promote 11 to leadership ranks

Pittsburgh police and city officials promoted 11 officers to leadership positions Friday in a short ceremony in City Council Chambers.

Two sergeants were promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and nine officers were promoted to sergeant.

Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich thanked the officers for their service and willingness to take on leadership roles.

“Believe it or not, I look at each personnel file of the promotees, and this is one of the most impressive selections that I’ve seen,” Hissrich said.

He said the decisions that sergeants and lieutenants make in the first five or 10 minutes at an incident scene could “dictate what the next hour, day, month or year could be like for an individual, for the public and for the city.”

Mayor Bill Peduto read from a piece by writer and educator Kent Keith that includes as its last lines: “People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help them anyway. Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.”

He told the officers their promotions are based on their ability to lead others.

“It is a part of leadership that allows you to talk with the troops,” he said, “but also be looked at as a leader.”

Promoted to lieutenant:

• William S. Hohos
• Patrick L. Knepp

Promoted to sergeant:

• Christopher A. Braden
• Brendan A. Flicker
• Logan D. Hanley
• Carla L. Kearns
• Dawn M. Mercurio
• Donald I. Mitchell Jr.
• Mark J. Rush
• Daniel R. Stoddard
• William D. Watts