City Council
$40,000 for person-to-person police recruitment.
The police academy hasn't had a full class of 40 recruits since before the pandemic. A $40,000 request would pay for sales-style training for police recruiters. A city official said applications have risen to about 100 a month, crediting the bureau's full-time recruiters. Grant money the city already received would cover the cost.
Written by Amy Whipple
- Advanced Recruiting Bootcamp takes a sales strategy and includes six overarching subjects. Among them, emotional intelligence, strategic lead generation and negotiation and persuasion skills.
- Director of Public Safety Schmidt reported that the Bureau of Police now has two full-time recruitment officers.
- Chief of Staff Palermo said they have been averaging around 100 applications per month. He attributes this increase to the recruiters.
- Recruitment techniques include approaching people at coffee shops and gyms rather than just participating in career fairs.
- Applicants must pass the civil service exam as well as a physical fitness exam before beginning classes. Director Schmidt said approximately half the people who take the fitness exam fail.
- Academy classes are capped at 40 participants. They offer three classes per year.
- There has not been a full class of 40 since prior to the pandemic.
- 120 new officers per year will outpace the number of officers who retire or otherwise leave.
- The $40,000 request will be met with previously received grant funds, of which another $38,172 has already been used toward recruitment training.
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- City Council · July 8, 2025
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Reducing the minimum penalty for engaging in sex work.
A bill would make the minimum penalty for sex work a $100 fine, like a traffic ticket. Currently, it's a misdemeanor, with up to a year in jail for a first offense. The bill doesn't decriminalize sex work, though. Council unanimously advanced it, and a final vote is set for July 8.
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Planning for a Public Safety training campus.
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Pilot program for buying houses directly from the City.
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$150,500 match for Fort Pitt Playground Project.
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