Since he was 5 years old, Jason Lando (BS ’01) wanted to be a police officer. Growing up in Squirrel Hill, close to the City of Pittsburgh Zone 4 police station, he loved to watch the police cars come and go. He could hardly wait to apply to the Academy—until he discovered that he couldn’t become a police officer until he was 21.
He quickly learned that he could become an emergency medical technician (EMT) at age 18!
Lando set out to receive his EMT training and went on to paramedic school as soon as he turned 18. At that time, he decided to enroll in the newly established Emergency Medicine program at SHRS and work as a paramedic until he was old enough to become a police officer. Needless to say, his plan worked out well.
Fast forward to today. After working as a Pittsburgh police officer for 21 years, first as a beat cop and eventually as the commander of the bureau’s narcotics and vice unit, Lando became the police chief in Frederick, Maryland. In January 2026, he was welcomed back home as the new chief of police for the City of Pittsburgh.
“I greatly miss my EMS (emergency medical service) days,” says Lando, “But I love my career in law enforcement. I also believe my EMS experience helped greatly in preparing me for my work as a police officer.”
“At Pitt, I had the benefit of learning from some remarkable leaders in their field who were respected by both their subordinates and their peers—people like Tom Platt, Walt Stoy and Gregg Margolis,” he continues. “When I think back about what made them so remarkable, it comes down to their willingness to be present, teach and always model the behavior they wanted to see in others.”
In his current position, Lando strives to be that kind of leader. He also tries to be open to new challenges and encourages his officers to do the same.
“Looking back on my own journey, I would have to say that a willingness to try new things, think outside the box and keeping an open mind are critical,” says Lando.
“I was encouraged by some of my role models to take promotional exams and become more involved in working with the community. Looking back, I am so glad I listened to their advice as it completely changed the course of my career,” he adds.
“I cannot imagine where I would be today if I was not willing to take advantage of the opportunities that came my way.”
