In less than a week, Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay has moved to put a stamp on his command staff that says he is taking community policing—especially bureau relations with the Black community—seriously.
Immediately upon being officially sworn in as chief, McLay announced that 37-year veteran Assistant Chief Maurita Bryant would be staying on and returning to the helm of the bureau’s Investigations division. Bryant has served in a supervisory capacity for more than 19 years. After serving in various capacities from patrol to criminal investigations and rising through the supervisory ranks, Assistant Chief Bryant most recently oversaw the Operations Branch.
Bryant had indicated she planned to retire after her term as president of the National Organization for Black Law Enforcement Executives, which held its national convention in Pittsburgh last year, expired.
She is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police, the FBI National Academy and Leadership Pittsburgh. Bryant has taught law enforcement and anti-terrorism courses to law enforcement agencies around the world and is involved with various organizations that work with inner-city youths.
Because McLay also promoted both Cmdr. Thomas Stangrecki and Cmdr. Scott Schubert to the rank of assistant chief—replacing outgoing Deputy Chief Paul Donaldson and Assistant Chief Regina McDonald, who along with Assistant Chief George Trosky, are retiring—that meant he was able to promote line officers to fill those spots.
On Dec. 15, McLay watched as former Sgt. Lavonnie Bickerstaff, along with former Lieutenants Jason Landau and Larry Scirroto did just that. With Bickerstaff’s promotion, half of the city’s commanders are now African-Americans.
“I am excited to welcome Commanders Scirotto, Lando and Bickerstaff to my command team. Their leadership, passion and commitment will be vital as we move forward, restoring the integrity of our systems, and building bonds within the communities we serve,” he said. “Commander Scirotto, Commander Lando and Commander Bickerstaff embody our Police Bureau’s core values: Accountability, Integrity and Respect. They will serve as role models for our future leaders.”
“This is an awesome responsibility, not only toward the men and women I’ll serve but to the community as well, and I will continue to bridge the gap,” Bickerstaff said. “It’s important for anyone that’s qualified to be promoted, and I think with regard to the African-American community, when an African-American gets promoted they feel there’s someone there who understands their plight. “
Bickerstaff started her career with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police on April 9, 1990. She has served in the Operations, Administration, and Investigations branches of the Bureau during her 24 years of service. She has served in leadership positions for 19 years to include Community Policing, Weed & Seed, Office of Municipal Investigations, Witness & Dignitary Protection, Crime Analysis and Intelligence, Operations Patrol, Robbery Squad and Homicide Squad.
For four years, then Sergeant Bickerstaff served as a community liaison for the chief of police, identifying critical issues and community concerns and helping to develop solutions. While assigned to the chief’s office, she led the Bureau’s recruitment efforts and diversity outreach programs. She is known and recognized for her dedication to the community and leading efforts to foster a better understanding of law enforcement and improving police/community relations.
Bickerstaff is the recording secretary for the local chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and has been an associate member since the late 1990s. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Biology from Hiram College and has received police leadership training from The Penn State University Police Executive Development course. She has received numerous awards and recognitions including several Bureau Citations, the U.S. Attorney LEAD Award, the NOBLE Achievement Award and the Philadelphia Leadership Award.
(Send comments to cmorrow@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
