From Commander Eric Baker
LGBTQ+ Liaison, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
This column aims to open direct communication between the Bureau and the LGBTQ+ community. It will appear from time to time and focus on transparency, clarifying issues that affect the community, and sharing updates about how public safety and LGBTQ+ residents in Pittsburgh work together.
To engage effectively, we need to do more than just respond after problems arise. We need to be consistent.
As the LGBTQ+ Liaison for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, my job is to improve communication between the Bureau and the LGBTQ+ community. This involves building relationships, listening to concerns, and making sure our conversations are organized, helpful, and ongoing.
Before I continue, I’d like to introduce myself. I am a Commander with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and currently lead units in the Special Deployment Division. Throughout my career, I have worked in many different roles across the department. As the LGBTQ+ Liaison, I am here to help make sure communication between the police and the LGBTQ+ community stays open, respectful, and productive.
With this column, I hope to start a regular update that focuses on honesty and engagement.
Clarifying the P Town Compliance Action
Since people in our community are still talking about this event, I want to share the basic facts.
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The City Bureau of Fire received a complaint about occupancy. This led to a compliance check by several agencies, including:
- Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
- Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
- Bureau of Fire
- Allegheny County Health Department
- Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office
- City Permits, Licenses & Inspections
This was not just a police action, and it was not based on any enforcement policy specific to LGBTQ+ spaces.
At the same time, the size and visibility of the response understandably raised concerns in the community. Queer spaces are important for many people, and enforcement actions there can have effects beyond the immediate issue.
We have heard those concerns, and they show why it is important for communication between public safety and our communities to stay open and ongoing.
Moving Forward
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is entering a new phase under Chief Jason Lando’s leadership. As the Bureau continues to grow, there is a stronger focus on professional development and training in areas like procedural justice, understanding implicit bias, and involving the public.
These efforts are meant to improve how officers interact with the public and to make sure policing is both effective and respectful of all the communities in Pittsburgh. One thing we learned over the past year is that communication should be ongoing, not just occasional.
Looking ahead, I plan to focus on:
- Sustaining consistent communication with community organizations
- Supporting opportunities for dialogue between public safety and LGBTQ+ residents
- Providing clear information when people have questions about police practices
It is always better to have constructive engagement than to only react after something happens.
Keeping Connected
Trust between a community and its police department does not happen in one meeting or with one statement. It grows over time through transparency, communication, and follow-through.
This column will appear from time to time to share updates, answer questions, and keep building a positive dialogue between the Bureau and Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ community.
If you have any concerns, questions, or ideas about public involvement, please feel free to contact me directly at my email at eric.baker@pittsburghpa.gov.
If you are experiencing an emergency, always call 911, as my email is not monitored twenty-four hours a day.