Acting Chief Chris Ragland announced his retirement from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police last week, citing concerns of “ethics and morals.”
The city of Pittsburgh is once again searching for a new police chief after Acting Chief Chris Ragland stepped down last week, marking the fourth chief to depart from the position in the past three years.
“After much thought, Acting Chief Ragland has chosen to withdraw from consideration as permanent Chief of Police and step into a new chapter of his life, transitioning into the private sector with a national firm,” stated Mayor Ed Gainey in a press release, adding that he received the Chief’s news “with regret.”
“I felt he was the right man for the job and brought integrity and courage to a difficult position,” Gainey continued. “I also respect his reasons for making his choice, and I believe it was a difficult decision for an officer who has given so much to our city.”
Ragland’s resignation brings an end to his 30-year career serving with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. According to Ragland’s elusive statements in a news conference, however, the circumstances surrounding his departure extend beyond a desire to join the private sector.
“As a leader, you have to have some bright lines. You have to do the things that are moral, ethical and legal,” Ragland explained. “And when you are faced or requested or demanded to do certain things that maybe go against your bright lines, then you have to be prepared to walk away and that’s what I’m doing today.”
Ragland went on to allude to “certain demands placed on me that I felt went against my own ethics and morals that I could not live with.”
Though the chief did not provide further information about his ethical concerns, his comments come on the heels of a dramatic sequence of succession for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. The chief prior to Ragland, Larry Scirotto, provoked community ire after being exposed for striking a private deal with Gainey to continue refereeing college basketball.
Pittsburgh city councilman Anthony Coghill said this (in Trib) about Chris Ragland-outgoing acting chief who will retire after 30 years.
This a low blow, cheap shot from Coghill about a guy who worked 3 decades to keep Pittsburgh safe. Even if you didn’t like him, have some class pic.twitter.com/aPDOSnKrLE— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) March 6, 2025
Following Scirotto’s disgraced departure, Ragland was faced with a more intensive interview process at the behest of the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The interest group demanded the prospective chief undergo six public questioning forums before the City Council could hold a vote on his confirmation.
Though Ragland initially agreed to participate in the forums, he ultimately withdrew his name from consideration and announced his retirement before the public hearings took place. The former acting chief characterized the process to which he was subjected as “political football” designed to permit “endless delays and pressures for dealmaking.”
According to Gainey, the next step for finding a permanent police chief is working with the Council and the community; the mayor claims, “I will not submit a nomination to City Council until I am certain that we have found the right individual and the right confirmation process.”
