Pittsburgh Police Chief offers to take lower salary

Referee Larry Scirotto gestures during a NCAA Big Ten Conference men's basketball game,
Referee Larry Scirotto gestures during a NCAA Big Ten Conference men's basketball game, Photo credit © Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen, Iowa City Press-Citizen via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Pittsburgh's police chief has offered to take a pay cut to continue refereeing college basketball games.

Chief Larry Scirotto offered to reduce his own salary to offset the salary of a deputy chief who would serve in his absence while he's away refereeing games.

Last week, Scirotto said he would resume refereeing games this season and was even ready to step down from his position as chief in order to do so.

In a statement to KDKA, Scirotto said Mayor Ed Gainey took him up on the offer, saying "he thought it might help put the residents we serve at ease, while also compensating Assistant Chief Chris Ragland in his new role."

Scirotto is expected to see a nearly 20,000 pay cut.

The salary move will be reflected in the mayor's budget next month.

Featured Image Photo Credit: © Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen, Iowa City Press-Citizen via Imagn Content Services, LLC