Newsradio 1020 KDKA Editorial: Cameron McLay

Cameron McLay is on track to be Pittsburgh's new police chief.

His mother and grandparents were from this area –

But mcLay comes here after serving thirty years on the Madison, Wisconsin, police force.

So he's an outsider.

That's a good thing.

Mayor Bill Peduto could have chosen a chief from the ranks –

But McLay has something the internal candidates lacked –

The ability to start with a clean slate.

That is an invaluable tool.

It will help him rebuild ties – and trust – between police and residents.

It may also help McLay rebuild police morale.

The Police Bureau has spent a year and a half under a temporary chief –

The former chief is serving prison time –

And relations between the police bureau and city administration are "strained" at best.

Public Safety is one of the most important services a city provides.

City Council needs to approve Cameron McLay quickly –

So he can get to work.

There's already a lot on his plate.