Mayor Gainey names interim police chief following Schubert's retirement announcement

Mayor Gainey announced Friday that Tom Stangrecki will become the Interim Police Chief on July 2, a day after retiring Chief Scott Schubert's final day.

"He's a lifelong Pittsburgh resident, a Pittsburgh Public graduate and he's served the bureau for 34 years," Gainey said of Stangrecki.

Gainey said a national search for a permanent chief will begin immediately.

During Friday's news conference, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert's retirement was voluntary. 

Gainey said Schubert came to him and said he wanted to retire after 34 years of service.

"He walked the beat by himself, he raised money for children, you can't ask for a better police officer," Gainey said of Schubert, who was not in attendance.

Schubert's retirement will be official on July 1.

Then, Deputy Chief Thomas Stangrecki will be named acting chief as the city conducts a nationwide search for Schubert's replacement.

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Chief Scott Schubert on Friday announced that he will be retiring after 29 years with the force.

"Following deep reflection and significant discussion with my family, I have come to the decision that it is time to step away from the Chief's position and allow one of my brothers or sisters in blue the opportunity to serve this great city and this storied institution," Schubert said in a statement. "There has been no greater professional or personal joy than to have represented the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police."

Read the full statement here.