PITTSBURGH — Target 11 has learned that the disciplinary hearings are over for eight Pittsburgh police officers accused of violating policies and procedures in the tasing of Jim Rogers.
And the department has recommended firing all but one of the officers.
But Target 11 has discovered that the city may not be able to fire those officers just yet.
Sgt. Carol Ehlinger, the second-highest-ranking officer on the scene after Jim Rogers was tased ten times, will remain on the force.
Target 11 has learned she was given an oral reprimand.
It’s unclear what led to that decision, but her attorney said she did nothing wrong. Ehlinger has been the subject of two previous disciplinary incidents.
The highest-ranking officer on the scene that day, Lt. Matt Gaunter, retired before disciplinary action was taken.
Seven other officers including Keith Edmonds — who tased Rogers — and the two officers who transported Rogers to the hospital, have been told they will be fired.
An internal report said the officers used excessive force and failed to administer medical assistance to Rogers, who repeatedly asked for help and said he couldn’t breathe.
He went into cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital and died the next day.
The report said a series of procedural failures contributed to this tragic outcome.
But Target 11 has learned the city may have difficulty firing the officers now because there’s no public safety director.
Shortly before taking office in early January, Mayor Ed Gainey did not retain public safety director Wendell Hissrich.
He has yet to appoint a new director and under the municipal code, the interim director does not have the power to hire and fire employees.
Sources tell Target 11 that the police officers’ union has notified the city of this discrepancy.
Target 11 reached out to the Mayor’s office.
A spokesman sent us this statement from the solicitor’s office, “State statute and the police labor contract limit the city’s ability to speak on disciplinary investigations at this time.”
On Tuesday, Earle asked Mayor Gainey if the officers can be fired since there’s no new Director of Public Safety.
“I don’t know. No comment on that,” Gainey said.
The officers have been on paid administrative leave since October and it appears likely they will continue to be paid until a public safety director is appointed.
The public safety director will ultimately decide whether to uphold the firings or reduce them.
If the terminations are upheld, the union will appeal to arbitration.
So, expect a long court battle over the fight to save their jobs.
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