Former Pittsburgh police commander faces 2 years of probation for allegedly illegally filming fellow officers

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A former Pittsburgh police commander will likely avoid prison after charges of illegally recording his fellow officers.

Matthew Lackner, according to Allegheny County court records, agreed to two years of probation after facing four counts of using body cameras to record fellow police officers.

Last year, Lackner was sued in federal court by seven police officers for allegedly filming the footage.

If Lackner successfully completes his two years of probation, all four counts will be expunged.

The investigation into Lackner began on October 11, 2023, after police said a body-worn camera was found hidden in an unmarked Pittsburgh Bureau of Police vehicle.

Investigators said they later discovered several concealed recordings from several Pittsburgh officers. They reviewed 14 different recordings and determined that several Area 2 officers were unknowingly recorded on cameras placed in unmarked vehicles.

Lackner was accused of placing the cameras inside the vehicles, and investigators also said he hid his department-issued body camera so he could illegally record interactions with other officers.