09/13/2026
To our residents, friends, and neighbors:
From time to time, questions arise about police procedures, the progress of an investigation, or why criminal charges have or have not yet been filed in a particular matter. Those questions are understandable. It is equally important, however, that our community understands the responsibilities and principles that must guide every criminal investigation conducted by this Department.
First and foremost, every person accused or suspected of a crime is entitled to the protections guaranteed by our Constitution and laws. At the foundation of our criminal justice system is a principle that must never be lost in the court of public opinion: every person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The responsibility of our police officers is not simply to make an arrest or file charges as quickly as possible. Our responsibility is to conduct a fair, thorough, and professional investigation; identify, collect, and preserve evidence; interview witnesses; establish the material facts; and, when the evidence supports it, build a case capable of withstanding scrutiny throughout the criminal justice process.
Sometimes that can be accomplished quickly. Sometimes it cannot.
A proper investigation does not and should not move according to the demands of public pressure, social media, or the news cycle. Speed can never take precedence over accuracy, fairness, constitutional protections, or the integrity of an investigation.
There is another important principle I want our residents to understand: we do not publicly discuss the details of active criminal investigations.
That is not an attempt to avoid legitimate questions or unnecessarily withhold information. It is a professional responsibility. Publicly discussing evidence, witnesses, investigative strategies, or information that has not been fully verified can compromise an investigation, prejudice the rights of those involved, affect future court proceedings, and ultimately interfere with our ability to seek justice.
There will therefore be times when people want answers that we simply cannot responsibly provide while an investigation remains active. Our inability to discuss an investigation publicly should never be mistaken for an absence of investigative work.
I would also ask everyone to consider how quickly information now travels. Headlines, breaking-news alerts, social-media posts, and attention-grabbing stories are intended to capture our attention. They can provide useful information, but they rarely represent the complete body of evidence available to investigators, particularly while an investigation is still underway.
An investigation should ultimately be judged by the facts, the evidence, and the quality of the work, not by how much is being said publicly while that work is being done.
I am extremely proud of the men and women of the Latrobe Police Department. Our officers respond to thousands of calls and interactions, investigate offenses ranging from minor crimes to serious felonies, work closely with prosecutors and our law-enforcement partners, and carry out those responsibilities while respecting the constitutional rights of the people we serve.
Our Department has consistently maintained strong criminal clearance results, and our officers work diligently to bring investigations to the appropriate resolution. That record is the result of experienced police work, persistence, cooperation from our community, and officers who understand that doing the job correctly is more important than simply doing it quickly.
Public safety and constitutional rights are not competing responsibilities. We are entrusted with protecting both.
When probable cause exists and criminal charges are appropriate, we will act. When additional investigation is necessary, we will do the work. And when the evidence does not support criminal charges, we have an equally important responsibility not to bring them. That is not hesitation. That is responsible policing.
I understand that waiting for answers can be frustrating, particularly when an incident has generated significant public attention. But our decisions cannot be based upon rumors, headlines, speculation, or public pressure. They must be based upon facts and evidence.
I ask our community to allow our officers the time necessary to do what is right and just for everyone involved: follow the evidence, establish the facts, respect the law, protect constitutional rights, and make decisions based upon the investigation wherever those facts may lead.
That is our responsibility to you, and we will continue to fulfill it.
Chief Bosco
