Pittsburgh City Council honors outgoing Police Chief Scott Schubert

Pittsburgh City Council declared Tuesday as Scott Schubert Day in the city to honor the outgoing police chief, and said it would make a donation in his name to the Special Olympics, an organization Schubert has strongly supported.

Schubert announced his retirement last month, after nearly 30 years of service with the bureau. His last day on the job is July 1.

Schubert, a Pittsburgh native, told council members that being a city police officer “runs in my DNA.” Several relatives, including his father and uncle, also served in the department.

“It’s all I ever wanted to do,” Schubert said Tuesday. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Schubert started as a patrolman and rose through the ranks, becoming chief in early 2017.

In a proclamation supported by all council members, Schubert was praised for his work to establish a Pittsburgh Police Community Engagement Office; the Group Violence Intervention partnership between law enforcement, social services and the faith community; and the Office of Strategy, Accountability and Resiliency.

Council members said they appreciated his willingness to compromise with leaders who had different viewpoints, and thanked him for his focus on accountability.

They also credited him for participating in community events, leading the city through protests as the country reckoned with racial inequality and beginning the practice of all police officers wearing body cameras.

“I can’t say enough about what you’ve done for this city,” said Councilman Anthony Coghill.

Schubert’s retirement announcement came just weeks after Mayor Ed Gainey’s transition team issued a report suggesting new leadership in the police bureau was necessary. Coghill criticized the suggestion, and reiterated Tuesday that he feels “the city needs (Schubert) at this critical time.”

Council members said Schubert was always accessible, and applauded his initiative to walk the beat in all 90 city neighborhoods.

“I think that shows the passion you had for the city, for the residents and for the very, very difficult job you had to do,” Councilman Corey O’Connor said.

Deputy Chief Thomas Stangrecki will serve as acting chief until a permanent replacement is found.

“We have to carry on the example and the tradition that Chief Schubert set for us,” Stangrecki said.

The mayor has said there will be a national search to find the next police chief. Schubert said he feels there are officers in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police who could fill the role.

“I think you have a lot of good people within the Pittsburgh police who love our city and can easily do the job and make a difference,” he said. “I hope there’s a look internal.”

In the meantime, Schubert said, the city is “in very capable hands” with Stangrecki.

“The officers do an amazing job in the community, helping one another, helping residents,” Schubert said.

Schubert is set to move to a position within the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services headquarters in Clarksburg, W.Va. He will serve as the section chief overseeing Global Law Enforcement Support.

Schubert said he’ll remain involved in the community in Pittsburgh, which he said is still his home.

“Please take care of our officers out there,” he urged City Council. “They’re the ones who are out there trying to put their lives on the line to help others.”