Pittsburgh has moved to fire five police officers after an internal investigation into the October death of a man involved in the suspected theft of a bicycle, officials said Wednesday.
The five officers, who were not identified, have 14 days to challenge the firings in arbitration, Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt said at a news conference with Mayor Ed Gainey. The officers will have the option to retire. Three other officers will be allowed to keep their jobs but, according to CNN affiliate KDKA-TV, they will have to be retrained.
What his life could have been will stay with me for as long as I am the mayor of this city."Eight officers, including two supervisors, were suspended with pay after the incident, CNN affiliate KDKA-TV reported. An Allegheny County grand jury is investigating whether criminal charges could be filed against the eight officers, the station reported. Gainey said Rogers' death was"a stark reminder of the work we have in front of us to make our city the safest city in America.