Pittsburgh police chief under investigation for anti-racism photo

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh’s police chief has asked for a city investigation to determine if he broke regulations by retweeting a picture taken on New Year’s Eve of him holding a sign saying, “I resolve to challenge racism @ work” with the hash tag “end white silence.”

A city spokeswoman says Chief Cameron McLay requested the investigation after a meeting Wednesday with Fraternal Order of Police president Howard McQuillan. McLay has also closed his Twitter account.

McQuillan has said the sign painted city police as racists and violated the department’s social media policy.

Mayor Bill Peduto praised McLay for recognizing that racism exists and acknowledging there’s work to be done restoring trust between police and the black community.

A protester brought the sign to the city’s First Night celebration.