'These new leaders': 13 Pittsburgh cops promoted during ceremony

More than a dozen Pittsburgh police officers were promoted Friday, including several to some of the force’s highest-ranking posts, during a ceremony in the City-County Building, Downtown.

Three commanders took the oath to become assistant chiefs, overseeing the roughly 800-strong Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.

The new assistant chiefs — Chris Ragland, Martin Devine and Richard Ford — will lead administration, investigation, and operations, respectively, police spokeswoman Emily Bourne said.

Two lieutenants and one sergeant were promoted to commander. Patrick Fosnaught will head to administration, while Tim Novosel and Larry Mercurio will be assigned to run Zone 2 in the Hill District and Zone 5 in the East End, respectively, Bourne said.

Sgt. Harrison Maddox was promoted to lieutenant. Alex Royal, Patrick Eaken, Jason Farrell, Kenneth Leithner and Joe Reiff were all promoted from officer to sergeant.

Chief Larry Scirotto kicked off the ceremony held in City Council chambers in front of a standing-room-only crowd of police officers and their family and friends. He acknowledged the components of what makes an officer, such as character and service.

“Service is never done in isolation,” Scirotto said. “These new leaders understand the power of collaboration.”

Scirotto also pledged his dedication to the 13 newly promoted officers.

“I truly believe the harder we work for our officers, the harder they will work for the community,” he said.

“In a world that’s constantly evolving,” added Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt, “the role of our police force becomes increasingly vital.”

Mayor Ed Gainey repeatedly acknowledged officers’ partners and children for understanding the service and sacrifices that come with the job.

“Without family, [the promoted officers] would not be here,” Gainey said. “Sometimes we forget the families. And we’re not going to do that today.”

City Councilman Khari Mosley said he came to Friday’s ceremony to support Mercurio, one of the new commanders, who he has seen at community meetings and engaging with residents in Zone 5, which covers neighborhoods such as Homewood and Larimer.

“I think we’re creating a model for the community and the police to work together,” Mosley said.

Royal, who worked on patrol and vice squad during a six-year run with the Los Angeles Police Department, is glad to be climbing the ranks in Pittsburgh, where he grew up.

Royal also is ready to go to work.

“I’m super excited about it,” he said. “And I take it seriously.”