Editorial: Naming new chief is just a first step for Pittsburgh, O'Connor

Pittsburgh has had a rocky road in recent years with its police leadership.

Scott Schubert retired in 2022, bringing to end almost three decades with the department and five years as chief. Since then, things have run like a game of Chutes and Ladders — moving forward and sliding back.

There was an $80,000 nationwide search for a new chief, orchestrated by an outside firm. Then Larry Scirotto was brought in to run the show. He retired in 2024 after 18 months amid controversy over his moonlighting as a college basketball referee — and information that wasn’t disclosed to city council.

There were interim leaders and there were favorites to be the next chief. Then Mayor Ed Gainey’s pick, Christopher Ragland, resigned his job as assistant chief abruptly in March.

After the May primary election, where Gainey lost the Democratic nomination to Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor, council approved keeping Martin Devine as acting chief until a new mayor took office.

O’Connor, who won that seat this month, won’t be sworn in for two months, but he named his pick for the job Thursday, tapping Jason Lando to helm the 750-officer department.

It is unsurprising that O’Connor is making such an important decision quickly. It’s a need known for a year. While the election was just Nov. 5, in a city that hasn’t had a Republican mayor since the Great Depression, the Democrat winning was easy to predict, meaning O’Connor has had plenty of time to ruminate.

Lando has a track record on the job in Pittsburgh and leading a Maryland department. Both he and O’Connor will have to marshal that experience to address morale, recruitment struggles, and an aging fleet.

This comes at a time when Pittsburgh will be tested on a national stage. The city’s hosting of the NFL Draft will strain staffing, logistics and overtime budgets. It will do so while facing questions about violent crime, Downtown safety and quality-of-life issues in neighborhoods like the South Side.

There are reasons to be encouraged. Lando has Steel City roots, a community focus track record, and a reputation for good relationships. We know what he is like in a crisis. It was demonstrated during the synagogue shooting. Supporters are enthusiastic.

But this new start has to be about more than a good resume and references. None of the issues the police — or the city — face sprang up overnight. Recruitment, retention, good community policing require the same thing as good law enforcement: teamwork.

The mayor, the police chief and city council will have to work together. Success demands this triumvirate be on the same page and place the city ahead of politics.

Yes, this road has been rough, but now is the opportunity to deliver real change that will pave the way to a smoother path forward.