Zappala: Mon Valley police will have more solid cases

New warrant office coming to McKeesport

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Police officers in the Mon Valley will be offered help in building their cases against felony suspects with the opening of a warrant office in McKeesport in October.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said Saturday the new office will be staffed by lawyers from his office to advise police officers on what is needed for felony arrest warrants against crime suspects. The result will be more solid cases for prosecutors and the opportunity to intervene earlier with people suspected of a crime who have drug and alcohol abuse or mental health issues, he said.

“We’re going to make these guys better,” Mr. Zappala said about officers in small police departments, many of whom work part-time. “They have a lot of talent, but they need to be trained. My guys are going to be a resource.”

Mr. Zappala briefed police officers from Mon Valley communities about the new warrant office at a meeting Saturday in McKeesport. Thirty to 40 officers from most of the 30 Mon Valley departments who wereinvited attended the session.

An arrest warrant is not needed for many misdemeanor offenses such as petty theft, prostitution and public drunkenness. But a warrant is needed for more serious felony offenses, such as homicide and rape, and Mr. Zappala has been increasing the number of felonies that require police to consult with his office before executing an arrest.

In February 2017, Mr. Zappala sent a letter to Common Pleas President Judge Jeffrey A. Manning, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and the executive board of the county Chiefs of Police Association, announcing the creation of two new warrant offices — in the Mon Valley and eastern suburbs —