Mayor-elect Corey O’Connor will nominate former police commander Jason Lando as chief, sources say

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh mayor-elect Corey O’Connor will reportedly announce his pick for police chief tomorrow.

Sources confirm to 11 Investigates that O’Connor will nominate former Pittsburgh police commander Jason Lando.

Lando spent 21 years with the bureau -- including seven as the commander of Zone Five.

He left in 2021 to become the police chief in Frederick, Maryland.

“I think Jason will be a tremendous asset to the city of Pittsburgh,” executive director of Pittsburgh’s Independent Citizens Police Review Board Beth Pittinger said.

She says Lando could help bring stability to a police force that’s been without a permanent leader for the last year.

“He has great experience and has a very well-informed sense of the relationship between the community and the police and he can sense what community needs are and he has always done everything he can to meet those needs,” Pittinger said.

Lando was one of three finalists for the Pittsburgh police chief position three years ago.

The city council ultimately approved Larry Scirotto.

Scirotto retired after just 18 months to ref college basketball full-time.

The city has seen two acting chiefs since then.

“It’s just unfortunate that leadership has not been stable and consistent. I think that Mr. Lando -- Chief Lando -- brings a maturity. He’s able to listen and listen well,” Pittinger said.

Lando grew up in Squirrel Hill and went to Hebrew school at Tree of Life.

He served as incident commander on the day of the synagogue shooting.

“He’s been on very many unpleasant, difficult challenges while he was a police officer here in the city. That history, that knowledge can only serve him well and, in turn, serve us in the city,” Pittinger said.

The Alliance for Police Accountability released a statement tonight questioning the lack of public input on the nomination.

“It’s great O’Connor thought it imperative to make a selection early so we could have much-needed leadership of a critical department when it comes to public safety, but to do so without community involvement or input sends a concerning message and sets a concerning precedent when it comes to co-governance and the importance of community engagement. We are both hopeful and watchful that Lando’s relationship with the current rank and file doesn’t prevent him from holding his fellow officers accountable and look forward to working with the incoming chief and learning the plan of both the incoming police chief and mayor, since that hasn’t been clear thus far.”

Mayor-elect O’Connor is expected to nominate Lando on Thursday.

Sources tell 11 Investigates Lando is in town and will be at the announcement.

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