Pittsburgh Investigates Officer Use of Force in Arrest
Officials are reviewing a police officer's conduct during an arrest that took place last Friday in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The Office of Municipal Investigations and the Citizen Police Review Board are investigating a Pittsburgh police officer's use of force during an arrest of 51-year-old Tamika Depts. The incident occurred at 10th Street and Penn Avenue after police were dispatched to the scene.
Why it matters
The investigation aims to determine whether the officer's use of force during the confrontation was consistent with established police bureau policy. Authorities initiated the review following an arrest that led to a subject resistance report.
Tamika Depts faces charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, disorderly conduct, and public drunkenness. Her bail is set at $10,000, and she is currently held at the Allegheny County Jail.
The players
Tamika Depts
She is the 51-year-old woman who was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and terroristic threats.
Allan Morrison
He is a Pittsburgh police officer who conducted the arrest of Tamika Depts.
Dominic Maggio
He is a Pittsburgh police officer who is specifically named in the criminal complaint regarding the arrest.
Office of Municipal Investigations
This is a city agency responsible for investigating allegations of police misconduct in Pittsburgh.
Citizen Police Review Board
This independent agency provides civilian oversight and reviews police conduct within the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.
The details
Officer Allan Morrison arrested Depts after she reportedly kicked him, leading him to take her to the ground. Following the physical confrontation, a subject resistance report was filed while Depts was later diagnosed with pneumonia at Allegheny General Hospital.
Timeline
Police were dispatched to 10th Street and Penn Avenue at 4 p.m. on October 9, 2026.
Depts was taken to the Allegheny County Jail on October 12, 2026.
Officials confirmed the ongoing investigation into the arrest on October 14, 2026.
The Citizen Police Review Board expects to receive a report on the incident by the end of October 2026.
Legal Context
This investigation reflects the standard oversight process used by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police to monitor officer compliance with department protocols. The review aligns with broader municipal efforts to maintain transparency through the Citizen Police Review Board.
The investigation highlights ongoing scrutiny of local law enforcement actions during Downtown arrests. Residents can monitor public reports from the Citizen Police Review Board for updates on the findings regarding police conduct.
The takeaway
The investigation underscores the importance of the civilian oversight process in evaluating officer conduct during physical encounters. It serves as a reminder that all use of force incidents involving city police are subject to formal administrative review.
What happens next
The Citizen Police Review Board is scheduled to receive a formal report regarding the October 9 incident by the end of October 2026.
Further reading
For more information on department oversight, visit the Pittsburgh Law Enforcement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TribLIVE.
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