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Councilwoman proposes 90-day extension for acting police chief and schedules community meetings
Summary
Councilwoman Theresa Kell Smith introduced legislation to extend the acting chief's term for 90 days while council and the administration organize six public meetings for community input on the chief nomination; no final council vote on the extension was recorded during the meeting.
Councilwoman Theresa Kell Smith introduced a resolution to extend the term of the acting chief of police for 90 days, effective March 3, 2025, while council and community members meet to discuss the department's leadership.
The proposal, introduced as Bill 15-59, was presented during the Feb. 25 Pittsburgh City Council meeting. The measure was described by Councilwoman Theresa Kell Smith as intended to allow community conversations before a confirmation decision. "I want the public to have a say and to hear and to meet with the chief," Smith said during the meeting.
Why it matters: The acting chief is in a position that will likely be made permanent by the mayor with council confirmation. Council members said they wanted a structured set of public forums so neighborhoods across the city can question the nominee, see the nominee's approach to policing, and assess department priorities before council acts.
Council members said they agreed to hold multiple public meetings in different districts. Councilwoman Theresa Kell Smith and Councilperson Robert Charlin described a series of community sessions: after meeting with community leaders, the council members said residents asked for six meetings. "They, in fact, told him that they would actually fight that, that they want the 6 meetings," Smith said, explaining why the number was selected. Councilman Anthony Coghill, who led public-safety outreach, and others said the sessions would help both council and the nominee by clarifying public expectations.
Process and status: The resolution to extend the acting chief's term (Bill 15-59) was introduced on the Feb. 25 agenda; the meeting transcript records the presentation but does not record a final vote on the bill during that session. Council members discussed drafting amendments to specify scheduling and other details; Smith said they planned to work on language that would set meeting dates and timelines.
What council members said: Councilwoman Theresa Kell Smith said the meetings were intended to make the community "feel comfortable moving forward" while acknowledging the mayor and council share final authority over appointments. Councilman Anthony Coghill and others said Acting Chief Ragland had participated in outreach meetings and was looking forward to the forums.
Next steps: Council members said they will finalize the extension language and the schedule for the public meetings in the coming weeks. No final council vote on Bill 15-59 was recorded in the Feb. 25 proceeding.
Ending: Council members framed the approach as a compromise between community input and the need to maintain continuity in police leadership; council staff and the mayor's office will be asked to return with details before a confirmation vote is scheduled.
