Two Pittsburgh unit supervisors who assisted at a Trump rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, on Saturday have been removed from their unit, sparking controversy within the police department. According to an exclusive report by WPXI, the officers were not authorized to work the rally and were supposed to be available for First Lady Jill Biden’s motorcade in Pittsburgh on the same day.
The two motorcycle cops, part of a security detail at the Trump rally, were injured by shrapnel when an assassin fired at the former president. Local Pittsburgh news station WPXI reported that these officers were transferred out of their unit as punishment for their involvement. The officers sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene, with one later seeking further medical attention.
Sources told WPXI/11 News that the officers were asked by the Pennsylvania State Police to assist with Trump’s motorcade from Allegheny County to Butler County and back. Although the officers claim they notified the proper personnel within the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and received authorization, the bureau disputes this, stating they never granted permission.
Two Pittsburgh motorcycle cops who were assisting with security at the Trump rally and injured by shrapnel when an assassin fired on Trump were transferred away from their unit as punishment, a local Pittsburgh news station is reporting.
Sources told WPXI/11 News in Pittsburgh…
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) July 17, 2024
The decision to transfer the officers has ignited a dispute within the department. Sources revealed to Chief Investigator Rick Earle that the officers’ participation in the rally conflicted with their assignment to assist with the First Lady’s event in Pittsburgh. Due to their absence, additional support had to be called in from nearby universities to help manage Jill Biden’s motorcade.
Video footage from CBS News captured the heroic actions of the Pittsburgh officers, who, despite being injured, helped other victims and carried one person to safety. Despite this, the officers were transferred out of the motorcycle unit just two days later.
CNN: 3 hours before shooting, security caught Crooks with a rangefinder. https://t.co/K4SrktuOAG pic.twitter.com/YF26wWp2ub
— J Michael Waller (@JMichaelWaller) July 17, 2024
A spokesperson for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Cara Cruz, stated, “This was an administrative decision made by the Chief. Per the FOP [union] contract, I am unable to speak to the reasons behind the move as it involves personnel.” In contrast, Bob Swartzwelder, President of the Fraternal Order of Police union, criticized the decision, saying, “In a time when we should be honoring the heroics of these officers, we’ve created some petty administrative investigation in the midst of a serious political race.”
The situation has raised questions about the overtime hours logged by some of the motorcycle officers. Police Chief Larry Scirotto did not provide specific reasons for the transfers in his memo, stating only that it was “for the good of the bureau.”
Have you ever heard of such an operation that there were this many miscommunications and foul-ups?
Keep in mind this is the same police station that is closing police precincts down to the public because they can’t afford to staff them and will no longer respond to calls that are not “in-progress” emergencies.
