Police Chief Files For Divorce, Wife Drops Protective Order

BEL AIR, MD — One week after Bel Air Police Chief Charles Moore's estranged wife filed for a protective order against him, she appeared in court and asked that it be dismissed. During the interim, Moore was placed on administrative leave from the Bel Air Police Department.

Tamara Moore withdrew the petition she had filed for protection Tuesday and instead consented to proceed with a divorce in Harford County Circuit Court.

Charles Moore had filed for divorce almost four years ago. Since then, the couple has lived apart.

After attorneys for the Moores met with Judge Robert N. Dugan in his chambers, the couple agreed to a divorce. In spring 2016, he filed for limited divorce, stating Tamara Moore "constructively abandoned and deserted" him, and they had physically separated on Feb. 16, 2016. The two had been married since 1994, according to court records.

At the request of both parties, Dugan ordered the divorce proceedings and protective order case be sealed because a child is involved (one of their sons is 17), Charles Moore is a public official and making the documents public could make those involved "subject to embarrassment."

Related:

• Bel Air Police Chief Had Black Eye From Fight With Son: Attorney
• Police Union Condemns Bel Air's Response To Claims Against Chief
• Bel Air Police Chief Placed On Administrative Leave

Tamara Moore's protective order claimed that Charles Moore physically harmed their teenage son and her in an incident Dec. 13.

Once she was granted the temporary protective order Jan. 28, Charles Moore was prohibited from contact with her and her son for a week. It also resulted in the chief being placed on administrative leave from the Bel Air Police Department. He was ordered to surrender his firearms, not have contact with his son's school or care providers, stay away from the home where Tamara Moore and her son live in Jarrettsville and not abuse or contact them.

Charles Moore's attorney told Patch the police chief suffered visible injuries during the incident in December, including a black eye. He also said they had not communicated in the six weeks since.

A protective order is a civil, not a criminal, matter. It is issued on a temporary basis, usually for seven days, after which a judge determines whether to extend, dismiss or modify it.

Since the protective order was dismissed, town officials must determine what to do next.

"I don't see any reason why he can't go back to work," Town Administrator Jesse Bane told Patch after the hearing Tuesday.

However, Bane said he must make his recommendation to the five town commissioners and the town counsel for approval.

Until then, said Bane: "We have a police chief hanging in the balance."