2 Pittsburgh officers on paid leave following second DUI arrests

PITTSBURGH — Two Pittsburgh police officers are currently on paid administrative leave following their second DUI arrests.

Both Sgt. Tariq Francis and Officer Robert Palivoda faced charges in January, raising concerns about accountability within the department. They both had previously received a second chance after their first DUI offenses through Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD).

Sgt. Francis’ second DUI arrest occurred in November when Plum Police found him asleep at the wheel on the side of a road. Five years prior, he was charged with a DUI hit and run crash, after which he completed ARD and was subsequently promoted within the Pittsburgh Police Department.

Officer Palivoda’s second DUI arrest in January stemmed from a witness report of him hitting a parked car in Brookline. The witness observed him exit his vehicle and fall down in front of the front bumper. Like Francis, Palivoda had also received ARD after his first DUI offense.

Beth Pittinger, Director of the Citizen Police Review Board, voiced strong disapproval of the officers’ actions.

“They have a second chance, and they blow it because they’re arrested another time. That’s not acceptable. It’s not professional, and it’s a threat to public safety. It’s very dangerous,” Pittinger said.

Pittinger also asserted that for public accountability and to their employer, the city of Pittsburgh, the officers “certainly should not get a third chance.”

Mayor Corey O’Connor of the City of Pittsburgh commented on the situations. O’Connor indicated that each individual case would be different, complicated by union negotiations. He acknowledged that DUIs are a major issue that “cost so many people’s lives.”

A public safety spokesperson confirmed that both men are on administrative leave while their court cases are pending.

Current disciplinary rules, approved with a new union contract three years ago, allow for automatic termination for a second DUI conviction or a breathalyzer refusal upheld by the courts. However, these rules do not apply to Sgt. Francis or Officer Palivoda because their first DUI offenses occurred prior to the implementation of the new policy.

Chief Jason Lando, who took over the Pittsburgh Police Department earlier this year and inherited these cases, addressed the broader issue of officer misconduct.

“Oftentimes when we find that an officer has broken the rules or acted in a way that is, you know, unacceptable, when you sit down, and you talk and you dig into it, and you find out what’s really going on, often they’re struggling with something,” Lando said.

Lando has prioritized officer wellness, including addressing mental health issues and substance abuse.

“We want to build a very robust wellness and resiliency program, so we’re taking care of officers so when they’re out their everyday, that translates to better interactions on the street with our,” Lando said.

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