Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich out, sources tell Target 11

PITTSBURGH — Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich will be let go from his position with the city of Pittsburgh.

Sources told Target 11 that representatives for mayor-elect Ed Gainey told Hissrich he would no longer be needed under the new administration.

Hissrich had served in the role since 2016, after he ended a 25-year stint with the FBI.

The department comprises the bureaus of Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Animal Care & Control, and Administration, along with the Offices of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Community Affairs, Special Events, and Nighttime Economy.

In a statement from the City of Pittsburgh, Hissrich said the following:

“I am beyond thankful to Mayor Peduto for providing me the opportunity to return to Pittsburgh as the Director of Public Safety. In my tenure over the past six years, I’ve learned that a leader is only as good as the people working for them. I thank every member in the Department for their hard work.

We’ve seen lots of change, and even trying times together; and hopefully we were able to make a positive difference over these past six years. It has been my privilege to serve the City and help work towards a safer Pittsburgh for everyone.”

Hissrich is a Forest Hills native and 1984 graduate of Duquesne University. Hissrich was a City of Pittsburgh paramedic and crew chief for five years before joining the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He is a lifetime member of the Forest Hills Volunteer Fire Department.

Jake Pawlak, transition director for mayor-elect Gainey, sent the following statement to Channel 11:

”After careful and thoughtful consideration, Mayor-Elect Gainey determined that achieving the public safety reforms that the voters elected him to implement would require new leadership in the Public Safety Department.  Accordingly, he notified Director Hissrich that he would not be retaining his services upon entering office.  Mayor-Elect Gainey thanks Director Hissrich for his service to Pittsburgh and wishes him well in his future endeavors.”

Sources also tell Target 11 that Gainey is considering Pittsburgh Fire Chief Darryl Jones for the job of public safety director.

As of now, Hissrich says he has no current plans to announce regarding the future.

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