Judge backs city on G-20 arrest reports

An Allegheny County judge ruled against Pittsburgh's Citizen Police Review Board on Thursday, finding that a state law prohibits the city police department from turning over unredacted arrest reports and complaints stemming from last year's G-20 Summit.

In a 13-page opinion, Judge R. Stanton Wettick Jr. agreed with the city's position that the Criminal History Record Information Act forbids turning over the records being sought by the board, because, under the law, it does not constitute a "criminal justice agency."

The act says, "Investigative and treatment information shall not be disseminated to any department, agency or individual unless the department, agency or individual requesting the information is a criminal justice agency which requests the information in connection with its duties."

The board sent a formal request to the Office of Municipal Investigations in November in which it asked for reports from the G-20 Summit involving the arrests of 29 people, as well as information about police operations during the event.

In March, Judge Wettick ordered police Chief Nate Harper to turn over the reports. But when the chief did, much of the data contained in the 309 pages of arrest reports was redacted.

At a hearing last month, the board's attorney argued that the Criminal History Record Information Act did not apply to the City of Pittsburgh because it is a home rule municipality.

However, in his opinion, Judge Wettick disagreed.

Board executive director Elizabeth Pittinger said she had no comment on the judge's decision.

The board will have to decide if it will appeal the order or move forward with the original investigation.

Solicitor Dan Regan said he believes the city has now complied with Judge Wettick's March order, as well as state law, by providing the redacted documents.

"What the CPRB does with them at this point, I can't answer."

Paula Reed Ward: pward@post-gazette.com or 412-263-2620.

First published on September 24, 2010 at 1:03 am