Ravenstahl says he still supports Chief Harper

Created on Wednesday, 13 February 2013 19:00 Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 February 2013 20:06 Published on Thursday, 14 February 2013 07:00 Written by Associated Press Hits: 905

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE--Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, left, listens at a press conference as Police Chief Nate Harper speaks about the three Pittsburgh police officers who were slain as they responded to a domestic violence call and were shot by Richard Poplawski, 23, where he lived in the Stanton Heights section of Pittsburgh, Pa., April 4, 2009. (AP Photo/John Heller/File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl says he still has confidence in police Chief Nate Harper despite a federal investigation of the police department.

Ravenstahl says Wednesday that he hasn't asked Harper to retire or resign and the chief hasn't offered to.

FBI agents removed boxes of documents from police headquarters on Tuesday, and the city controller is also auditing the revenue police collect from special events.

Last year a former friend of Harper's was charged in connection with a bribery scheme on a contract to install radios and computers in police cars, and last week it emerged that Harper formed a private security consulting firm with a clerk and three city officers.

Ravenstahl says he doesn't approve of the consulting firm, but that Harper didn't appear to break any rules.