Pittsburgh City Council considers stop-and-frisk policy for police

Pittsburgh City Council is considering a measure that would require city police to document why they are stopping and searching a pedestrian before they do so.

The measure, introduced Tuesday by Councilman Ricky Burgess, would require officers to use a body-worn camera or vehicle-mounted recording device to document their reasonable suspicion for initiating a “stop-and-frisk” of a pedestrian.

Stop-and-frisk refers to incidents where police stop, search or detain a pedestrian without a warrant.

“The police officers stop-and-frisk disproportionately African Americans,” Burgess said. “Close to 70% of those encounters are with Black people. It creates an atmosphere of intimidation.”

This legislation, he said, would reduce racial profiling in such stops, as officers would have to document a clear reason for initiating the stop.

If the stop-and-frisk does not result in an arrest, the officer would be required to provide the pedestrian with documentation explaining the reasonable suspicion that led to the stop. There will be exceptions to this requirement if “officer safety or confidential requirements” would prevent officers from sharing the information.

Related:

• Pittsburgh bans traffic stops for minor violations

The legislation does not put an end to all pedestrian stops, Burgess said. He acknowledged that it’s important for police to have the discretion to make these stops if they feel there is a justifiable reason.

The Bureau of Police will review the legislation and analyze how it fits with existing policy, Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said.

The legislation calls for the Bureau of Police to provide an annual review of the policy to the Department of Public Safety and City Council.

The measure could be ready for a final vote in as soon as two weeks.