Pittsburgh police brass is asking some officers to justify their shine.
After an internal email flagged more than $11,000 in premium car wash charges so far this year, commanders have been ordered to find out why certain cruisers are rolling out of the wash looking extra glossy. The directive lands as City Hall tries to plug a nearly $30 million hole in the 2026 budget, which means even small, routine expenses are suddenly drawing attention.
Zone commanders were told to collect written explanations from the officers tied to those premium washes and get them to the assistant chief of operations by the end of the week.
What the records show
Documents obtained by Channel 11's 11 Investigates show the bureau has already spent more than $11,000 on car washes this year and highlight 21 cruisers that received premium services priced between $17.25 and $36.92 per wash. The internal memo directs zone commanders to identify the officers involved and have them submit reports explaining each premium purchase to the assistant chief of operations.
"Officers are still getting premium car washes....this is no longer acceptable," the memo says, according to WPXI.
Fleet size and maintenance costs
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police operates roughly 350 marked vehicles. A special report from the City Controller counted 348 police vehicles and found that police fleet maintenance and work totaled about $1.03 million in a one‑year review period. In that same analysis, citywide vehicle maintenance and work came in at roughly $8.08 million, with non‑contract costs on the rise.
Those figures come from the detailed accounting in the City Controller.
Police brass pushes back
Pittsburgh Police Public Information Officer Cara Cruz said the department is trying to be responsible managers of the public purse and stressed that officers who ended up with premium washes are not automatically in trouble while the situation is being reviewed.
Cruz also noted that the bureau recently changed its car wash contract. Some officers, she said, may not be fully familiar with the new machines, which can lead to accidental upgrades to the pricier wash option. The union representing officers said it was not aware of any disciplinary action tied to the issue so far, according to WPXI.
Why a few bucks can become a story
A handful of $17 to $37 washes might not sound like a budget buster, but the City Controller's analysis shows how non‑contract charges and per‑vehicle costs can pile up quickly across a fleet of hundreds of cars. With Mayor Corey O’Connor reopening the 2026 budget and city officials scrutinizing discretionary spending, even routine items like car washes are getting a harder look.
City Controller data helps explain how those small line items can grow.
Commanders are expected to submit the requested reports this week. City managers say they will review the explanations and decide whether to tighten controls on purchasing cards or take other steps to prevent repeat premium charges. Any follow‑up memos or policy tweaks should also make one thing much clearer to officers: exactly what kind of car wash the department is willing to pay for.
