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.

Connections to this story

More surveys

Have your say on more of the stories we’re covering.

County Council & School Board.

In the coming weeks, we plan to expand our coverage to the Pittsburgh Public School Board and the Allegheny County Council. These meetings will be in their own newsletters to help keep things…

Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of DirectorsCity of Pittsburgh

Tax rates increased and a ban on phones, taking photos & videos.

Mayor Corey O'Connor was sworn in this past Monday which took the place of the City Council's regularly scheduled meetings. We wanted to take this time to update you on our plans for the new year and…