Bel Air Leaders Decide On Police Chief's Leave

BEL AIR, MD — The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners determined at an emergency meeting Thursday that the town's police chief would remain on administrative leave. Bel Air Police Chief Charles Moore has been on leave since Jan. 29, the day after he was served with a protective order.

His estranged wife, Tamara Moore, withdrew her petition for the protective order Tuesday in Harford County Circuit Court and consented to a divorce, which her husband filed for in 2016. Both filings have since been sealed by a judge.

Town Administrator Jesse Bane recommended during Thursday's meeting that the police chief remain on paid administrative leave, according to a statement from the town of Bel Air. The Board of Town Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the measure.

After the court hearing Tuesday where a judge dismissed the protective order, Bane told Patch: "I don't see any reason why he can't go back to work," when asked about the chief's status.

As a result of Thursday's vote, Moore will remain on leave "until all investigations, both internal and external, resulting from the temporary protective order have been concluded or until the Town of Bel Air feels enough information has been gathered to make an informed decision," according to a statement issued by the town.

Related:

• Police Chief Files For Divorce, Wife Drops Protective Order
• 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

At least one outside agency is investigating the chief.

The Harford County Sheriff's Office told The Dagger that it had referred an investigation into an allegation of child abuse to the Baltimore County Police Department. There was a potential conflict of interest, since Charles Moore is on the board of directors for the Harford County Child Advocacy Center, which would normally handle such cases.

The Bel Air Police Association called for an independent investigation into the domestic violence allegations surrounding the chief.

The commissioners met at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Bel Air Town Hall and went into a closed session "to discuss an employment matter related to the continuation of the Administrative Leave of Chief Charles Moore," according to the announcement of the emergency meeting, issued hours before the gathering.