Not Enough Fire These Cops

EmailPrintPittsburgh cops put on paid leave during beating investigation

Monday, February 01, 2010

By Sadie Gurman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Three officers under investigation by the city for allegedly beating a Homewood teen during his arrest last month have been placed on paid administrative leave, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said this afternoon.



He said the decision would help put community concerns at ease and ensure the safety of the officers pending the investigation by the Office of Municipal Investigations.



"We can't take any final action until we know all the facts," Mr. Ravenstahl said at a news conference where he declined to take questions from reporters. He said he has asked OMI to wrap up its investigation by the end of this month, and "it will uncover those facts."



The officers -- Richard Ewing, Michael Saldutte and David Sisak -- were working undercover on Jan. 12, when they arrested Jordan Miles, 18, in Homewood. The CAPA student said the officers brutally beat him as he walked on Tioga Street to his grandmother's house.



The officers were moved from plainclothes and into uniform after OMI launched its probe into the incident.



Mr. Ravenstahl said today's decision to place the officers on paid leave was a difficult one and urged the public to be patient during the investigation.



Police Chief Nate Harper declined to comment on the decision, saying the incident remains under investigation with possible litigation pending.



More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.



Sadie Gurman: sgurman@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1878.



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