4 Pittsburgh police officers get new ranks, responsibilities

Pittsburgh police promoted four of their own officers Thursday in a ceremony at City Council chambers Downtown.

Sgt. Andrew Baker was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, while Detectives Anthony Barber and Gino Macioce and Officer Sean Gavin advanced to the rank of sergeant.

“These individuals have proven their knowledge, skills and ability to be great leaders, as evidenced through their hard work and extra duties that they have taken to achieve this promotion,” Acting Chief Thomas Stangrecki told the crowd of officers and their families.

Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt reminded the officers — now part of the police force’s leadership team — that they have been leaders throughout their careers.

“It means putting respect before popularity, which takes empathy,” Schmidt said. “It means you have to care about your people more than your own discomfort — your own fear, your apprehension and your awkwardness. You have to have the difficult conversations; you cannot be everyone’s friend. True friends won’t expect you to treat them differently.”

Mayor Ed Gainey administered the officers’ oath of office, thanking families that came to the ceremony to show support for their loved ones and the police force.

“Without love, none of them would get to this level,” Gainey said. “Without love, it’s hard to grow up and advance in your career. So today, even though they are being promoted, this is also your promotion.”

The four officers next will complete two weeks of supervisor training at the police academy, followed by three to six weeks of field training, before being assigned to their new duty locations, police spokeswoman Cara Cruz said.