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Pittsburgh fire chief to retire amid internal investigation

Fire Chief Darryl Jones will retire in September after being placed on administrative leave during a review of the bureau’s finances and operations

By Megan Guza
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh leaders said Wednesday that Fire Chief Darryl Jones — who has been on leave amid an internal investigation for more than a month — will retire effective Sept. 16.

The press release came from Mayor Corey O’Connor’s office and did not include a statement from the now-outgoing fire chief.

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O’Connor said his decision came after “a comprehensive review of the oversight of finances and operations” of the Bureau of Fire .

“He is a good man who has done important work for our fire department and the safety of our communities,” O’Connor said in a statement, saying he believes it is “in the best interest of the city to move forward under new leadership.”

Jones said in a statement to the Post-Gazette that he is thankful for “everyone who supported me through this difficult process,” calling the support “overwhelming.”

“This is not the end of my career, it is just the end of a chapter,” Jones, 65, said. “Time to turn the page.”

Jones, who has led the bureau since 2007, was placed on paid administrative leave on June 1 “pending the outcome of an internal review,” a public safety spokeswoman said at the time.

A source not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation told the Post-Gazette in June that the investigation was not criminal in nature but rather pertained to management of bureau operations.

Assistant Chief Mathew Davis, who has served as acting chief since Jones was placed on leave, will continue in that role “until a permanent replacement is named,” O’Connor said.

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