Two area motorcycle cops were reportedly in hot water for helping at Saturday’s Trump rally, earning more than a just a punishment for making themselves unavailable for a White House VIP.
(Video Credit: WPXI)
Since tragedy struck the campaign trail leaving a rally-goer dead and others wounded, including former President Donald Trump, calls for accountability at the highest levels have gone unanswered. Instead, as U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle refused to resign and sold excuses about a “sloped roof” for the lapse in security, a new report detailed that two Pittsburgh Police motorcycle officers were transferred when they were supposedly meant to be available to aid in securing First Lady Jill Biden.
According to the report from WPXI, while the supervisors claimed that they had notified the proper personnel and were given authorization to aid with the protective detail for Trump, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police claimed they had never granted permission.
“In a time when we should be honoring the heroics of these officers, we’ve created some petty administrative investigation in the midst of a serious political race,” said Fraternal Order of Police President Bob Swartzwelder to the outlet in response to a statement from the police on the transfer.
Pittsburgh Police spokesperson Cara Cruz told 11 investigates, “This was an administrative decision made by the Chief. Per the FOP contract, I am unable to speak to the reasons behind the move as it involves personnel.”
WPXI reported that on top of the alleged failure to gain permission, “sources also said there were also concerns that some of those officers should have been available to help with the First Lady’s visit to Pittsburgh at the same time.”
“Sources said cycle units from nearby universities had to be called in to assist Pittsburgh Police with Jill Biden’s motorcade,” the report went on.
As it happened, the officers that were transferred were among those seen in the bleachers Saturday evening assisting the two spectators who were struck in addition to the fatality of firefighter Corey Comperatore.
After 57-year-old David Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver had been hit, with the former said to have been shot in the stomach and liver only to walk himself down the stairs, the officers, who themselves had been hit with shrapnel, could be seen leading the wounded to safety and helping to carry the latter.
US Marine vet critically shot at Trump rally walked from scene: ‘Talk about Hard Freaking Core. Semper Fi, brother’ https://t.co/jwsVrQ4dXB
— American Wire News (@americanwire_) July 17, 2024
The transfer memo accredited to Police Chief Larry Scirotto, known for reducing police response in Pittsburgh overnight and for being fired from his previous job as police chief in Fort Lauderdale, Florida after only six months over allegations of discrimination in promotions and other preferential treatment to minorities, did not stipulate the reason for the move, but did claim it was “for the good of the bureau.”
Meanwhile, as the supervisors were reassigned to the North Side’s Zone 1 and Allentown’s Zone 3, reactions online were incredulous over the decision and the latest maddening response to the security failure.
I’m sorry, but this is absolutely insane. What country are we living in?
— Insurrection Barbie (@DefiyantlyFree) July 17, 2024
You have to be kidding me. SOMEONE NEEDED TO HELP THEM! And that’s literally the job of police officers!!!!! Almost like they wanted absolutely no one to help them, and just watch it happen
— TheRightGirl (@TheRightGirl47) July 17, 2024
Do they realize this makes the debacle look even worse for “local law enforcement “?
— Lexie (@harleylexx) July 17, 2024
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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