Pittsburgh City Council
Some of O’Connor’s appointees need council’s OK.
Written by Amy Whipple
For the sixth time in 10 years, council will vote on a new chief of police.
Squirrel Hill native Jason Lando is one of 14 appointments Mayor Corey O’Connor put before council for its first meeting of the year. He has been the chief of police in Frederick, Maryland, since 2021, after serving as a Pittsburgh police officer for 21 years. During his time in Pittsburgh he rose to the rank of commander overseeing the police zone that includes Highland Park, Homewood and East Liberty for five years. He was also the incident commander during the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018. He later led the narcotics and vice squads for two years. He was a finalist for the chief’s job in 2023.
Council must also approve eight of O’Connor’s other appointments. These include directors for the Departments of Public Works and Public Safety, the city solicitor and the boards of the Equipment Leasing Authority and the Housing Opportunity Fund.
The remaining five appointments do not require council’s approval. It only needs to be informed of them. These positions include city and school district treasurer and Council Member Bob Charland of the South Side to the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s board of directors.
Council will hold interviews with relevant appointees from Jan. 20 to Feb. 11. Lando is scheduled to meet with council on Jan. 28.
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- City Council · January 13, 2026
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