An investigation into allegations of domestic violence and child abuse against Bel Air Police Department Chief Charles Moore has been referred to the Baltimore County Police Department due to potential conflicts of interest, while Bel Air’s police union rejected town officials’ comments about the matter and called for an independent investigation.
The town announced Wednesday it had placed Moore on administrative leave after he was served with a temporary protective order a day earlier placed by his wife, from whom he is separated, alleging that Moore was involved in a physical altercation with her and their teenage son on Dec. 13.
Harford County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Cristie Hopkins said Friday that the agency, which has jurisdiction over the locations where the alleged incidents involving Moore took place, had referred the investigation to the Baltimore County Police Department and Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office.
While allegations involving child abuse would usually be investigated by the Harford County Child Advocacy Center, in his role as Bel Air police chief, Moore sits on the center’s Board of Directors.
“This creates an obvious conflict of interest,” she wrote in an e-mail to The Dagger. “As such, we have consulted with and requested assistance from the Baltimore County Police Department and Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office to complete the necessary investigations. We have not been requested to assist with any Internal Investigation the Bel Air Police Department may be conducting.”
Hopkins said standard practices in such an investigation would be to gather evidence, interview involved parties, and to present any findings to the State’s Attorney’s Office for possible charges. A concurrent social services investigation may also be possible, she added.
In comments to The Aegis published Friday, Bel Air Town Administrator Jesse Bane said the town would not conduct its own investigation of Moore due to the allegations against him occurring outside its department’s jurisdiction.
“This is nothing unusual,” Bane told the newspaper, “because the order has been issued does not mean the allegations are true.”
However, Bane’s comments were strongly countered in a letter published in the early morning hours Saturday by the Bel Air Police Association IUPA Local #229, the union representing the department’s rank and file officers.
“A police officer being accused of domestic violence and being the respondent of a protective order is highly unusual,” the union wrote. “There is nothing normal about this.”
The union also rejected Bane’s basis for not conducting an investigation due to jurisdictional boundaries.
“This is not a standard that has been applied to officers in the past,” the union wrote. “Whenever a police office is accused of wrongdoing they are subject to an investigation regardless of where the incident occurred. Allegations of misconduct should be investigated thoroughly regardless of jurisdictional boundaries or rank.”
“In the interest of fairness and public trust, an independent investigation into the allegations against Chief Moore must be conducted.”
As Harford Couny Sheriff from 2006 to 2014, Bane previously sat on the the Harford County Child Advocacy Center board; he is a past board member of the county’s Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center, or SARC.
A hearing for a final protective order is scheduled for Tuesday. Under the temporary protective order, Moore is prohibited from threatening, abusing, contacting, or visiting either his wife or his teenage son. Pursuant to Maryland law, Moore was required to surrender all firearms and gun ammunition; Hopkins said the Sheriff’s Office claimed a total of 24 firearms from Moore, including his duty weapon.
During Moore’s absence, Deputy Chief of Police Richard J. Peschek is serving as Acting Chief of Police.
24 firearms? Yikes!
Looks like the police department doesn’t trust Bane any moore than the sheriffs department did.
Wow for a man who was Sheriff and who was on the SARC board Mr Bane certainly doesn’t seem to take this seriously. I was also shocked when I read in the Sun that he also seemed to called the victim a liar.
“This is nothing unusual,” Bane told the newspaper, “because the order has been issued does not mean the allegations are true.”
Does anyone think Jesse Bane hasn’t already made up his mind! No wonder he says an investigation isn’t needed! Brave of the union to stand up to this type of cover up!
Seriously? Anyone can file a protective order and a temporary one is ordered. That does not mean it is so. Then a hearing has to take place with both present and the judge will decide based upon the evidence if it is true or not. How the hell does Jesse bane get dragged into this. Get a life people.
Questioning the victim’s honesty while saying no investigation is needed!! Jesse Bane needs to GO!
You are as stupid as the last guy. Bane did not call her a liar. Anyone can file a protective order and get a temporary one. Then the judge will decide on whether it is permanent. That is not calling the victim a liar that is stating fact.
Bane has to go, really? He is no longer an elected official. You don’t get to decide.
SARC is a joke, they go out of their way to go after Police Officers and men. They are man-haters! They have destroyed man a man’s reputation. To this day if my son steps up on my he’s going to the ground, Respect your parents.
Sounds like the Town needs another investigation into the attempted cover up by Bane. Anyone else having flashbacks of Forewood?
So what you are asking for is to have the Bel Air Police investigate their chief for a crime that happened outside of their town. Come on man
Yes just like any police department would do when a member of their agency is accused of domestic violence. It’s police internal investigations 101. He should have another agency conduct the investigation because it’s the chief who is accused. But it’s typical Bane incompetence to not conduct an investigation.
There should be an IA investigation into it regardless of where the incident occurred. If this was a patrol officer they would absolutely be doing an IA investigation whether it happened in Bel Air town, out in Harford County someplace, or in PA.
Bane a fucking idiot. He’s the same guy who kept a major suspended with pay for months even though Forewood had been charged with a felony. Bane claimed that he couldn’t do anything more unless he was convicted because of LEOBR, which was bs because Forewood wasn’t protected by LEOBR and once you’re charged with a felony you can suspended without pay anyway. Bane magically decided to fire Forewood just before the election even though he hadn’t even gone to trial yet, let alone been found guilty of anything.
Sounds like this was written by HCSO command staff, imagine that. Since you are thinking this is a conspiracy, did Bane not suspend the Chief? Read the article is Baltimore County not investigating? Maybe the results lead to an internal investigation, maybe we find out this whole thing is BS. All TBD but like the union you have already made your mind up. Sad but you know what I’m not shocked.
Obviously he has made up his mind and thinks the victim is a liar but I am surprised that he was dumb enough to say it in the news paper.
Made up his mind how? Didn’t he suspend the Chief??
What he did was completely disrespect the officers of the Bel Air Police Department and call the victim a liar. Defend all you want, sad attempt to cover up.
How did he disrespect the Officers of the Bel Air Police Department? Please enlighten me
It is not the norm for the union that represents the town officers to have to come out with a press statement that contradicts several things that town administrator claimed. The union making the release brings even more attention on the unfortunate situation between the chief and his family members. Placing the officers who work for Bane in that difficult situation is very disrespectful to the rank and file officers.
You still didn’t answer my question. How Did he disrespect the Bel Air Police Department?? His son Punches him in the face and he defends himself. I’m not a Bane fan but it is correct that several Harford County Deputies have had a protective order placed on them. Again where is the disrespect????
Bane said it was nothing unusual which is a slap in the face to all the BPD officers. He also isn’t having an internal investigation conducted which what would happen with any other officer. That’s another slap. Not to mention he called the victim of this domestic incident a liar. So he disrespected the officers of the Town twice and the victim.
By calling the victim a liar and not conducting an investigation he has already decided the outcome. He had no choice but to suspend or he wouldn’t have.
I hope you aren’t a police officer. When exactly did Bane call the victim a liar? Hopefully this isn’t how you write police reports. This is concerning to the citizens you come into contact with. “Well I thought this is what the suspect meant”, really?
He said it doesn’t mean the allegations are true. This clearly questions the victims story without waiting for an investigation into the matter! As the union points out, Bane doesn’t even want an investigation into the matter! Did he say just because the chief claims differently then maybe that is not true? I don’t need to be a police officer to see the aspersion Bane cast on this poor woman, I’ve been in her shoes.
Ok and maybe the allegations aren’t true. He didn’t say they were or weren’t true, you are trying to blow up comments he made. This is typical, let’s let things play out and then you can pass judgement. Bane isn’t obstructing an Investigative process, he saying let it play itself out. Let the criminal investigation by Baltimore County PD play out and then based on that an internal investigation may be started. He didn’t say the victim was lying or that she wasn’t. It looks like to me the Chief May be the victim. I don’t know but I guess we will find out,
Sad event for the family, but a total Bane boondoggle as usual. The Aegis article says none of the five commissioners bothered calling back and the town administrator insults the victim, insults the police officers and embarrasses us all.
Why would the commissioners comment, that’s typical that politicians don’t get involved in police related issues especially when one of their own is being investigated. They suspended him, what more do you want them to do?
Maybe if they could have been bothered to respond, Bane’s outrageous comments wouldn’t have been made.
Wait so son punches father and father defends himself. I read what was posted and I just don’t see enough for a protective order. Keep it classy Bel Air PD Union, not sure why got involved.
Sounds to me like the Bel Air Police Union is mad because they have a chief that actually makes them work. They have the best law enforcement job in the county, yet they are whining. Rumor is many officers are leaving this pathetic union and joining the FOP with Aberdeen and Havre DeGrace. This press release is joke
Harford County never fails to amaze me. The corruption and inept prevail again. The corrupt judges will be involved next. Maybe retired felon HCSO Officers will help the “independent investigation.” Time to bring Keplin back with his night stick!
“There is nothing normal about this”, The Chief has always had our back and I cant believe we have decided to turn our back on him. You and I both know this is BS and I won’t and can’t watch him get thrown under the bus. You may not like what he tells us but I’m stunned that you decided to turn your back. This guy was just trying to get his son back on track. The same as you would want your own son to do good. Say what you want and do what you will but this isn’t right and I’m not sure what your end game is but this is ridiculous.
How many gift cards are you expecting for this comment?
What is this about gift cards? Are you saying there is some incentive program for the police involving cash rewards?
We have Chuck’s back, ex-wives can be a real bitch.
The Police Union wanted to feel important and in the end they look incredibly stupid. I don’t think they realize how good they have it. No matter what they get or are given, they will never be happy. I just don’t know what they wanted the end game to be. Outside agency is investigating the Chief. Chief assaulted by son and defends himself. Wife who in my opinion sets the Chief up. Court system that issues a protective order and I’m not saying they shouldn’t, but this case and the facts are a joke. Great job Bel Air Police Union you managed to make yourself look even stupider than you already were.
Why didn’t Chief walk away when son hit him? He’s the police chief fercrikesske. He should know better than anyone on the force the potential ramifications of punching his minor child, even if it was self defense. He deserves to be suspended for stupidity alone.
So as long as it’s kid or mom that assaults dad it’s ok? Maybe he couldn’t walk away and he had to defend himself. Maybe the son is an entitled little brat and feels just like you that he can assault dad and it’s ok. I’m failing to see your point. Clearly you’ve already passed judgement. Just because he is a chief of police destiny mean he deserves to be assaulted.
Where did it say he punched his kid? I don’t think his wife ever alleged that the son was punched, you make no sense
because fathers aren’t supposed to walk away from their sons when they hit them. They are supposed to whoop that ass.
What? This is why kids get away with crap now, you put your hands on your parents you need to be smacked and taught some respect. People like you are why kids have no respect for anyone anymore. We got your back, Chuck, we know the man you’re. At least your second in command wasn’t caught in a ticket scalping scandal or an overtime scandal when he worked for the city. Oh, and let’s not forget the new Major who did breaking and entering and assault, and was a Drill Instructor in the Academy and got one of the recruits under him pregnant.
Jeff promised to be different but it seems it is still the good ole boy system in Harford County.
There are two supervisors for the Sheriff’s Office that we’re accused of assaulting a prostitute at a bachelor party. It may or may not have been true but they were charged with a crime. Here’s a dad just trying to make sure his son isn’t making bad decisions and he gets attacked. Let’s throw him under the bus, that’s a great idea. Dear Bel Air Police Union you are a bunch of idiots
The Bel Air PD midnight shift is a joke with the exception of 2 one strippers that work their tail off. Short of that it’s a bunch of know it all idiots. That’s where most of this is coming from, do little know it all officers and supervisors. The truth will come out and the laziness of that shift will also come out. Too busy worrying about their second job and their home life and not doing their actual job at work. Step up or shut up
They got strippers on their midnight shift? Sign me up!
And they want to take money away from Harford County education….
Wins the best comment
They have the HCSO as a model….what else would you expect? Much of their team is prior HCSO staff. Doesn’t surprise me in the least. The rotten fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. They just get moved to another department.
Chuck Moore is a POS. Bel Air PD needs a new police chief. As for Jesse Bane, just protecting another one of his cronies.
What’s hilarious is seeing people
talk crap about someone without any reason to do so. The real piece of crap is most likely you, you are probably the laziest officer or deputy ever. Prove me wrong
Isn’t this the same chief that hid the fact that a recent former male officer for the dept used his on duty time to find random woman to flirt and sexualize with? Wasn’t this officer band from the mall? What a joke. Those of you supporting the chief are the ones who need the help here. The HCO Sheriff knows Moore is no good.
Two key words recent and more importantly former. He gone
This is hilarious if I think I know who your taking about this officer was banned not “band” from many places, most of which was done prior to this current chief being the chief. I think he was let go as an officer. In fact I think Chief Charles Moore fired him. I have no clue if that’s who you are referring to????????????!
The Harford County Sheriff has his own set of issues…..So I would not hold his opinion in much regard about matters like this.
According to the Patch, the chief got off on some sealed order and Jesse Bane says: “I don’t see any reason why he can’t go back to work”. Would this be the case for any other police officer or just Jesse’s rear kissing buddy? More of the s__t show from Bel Air to come no doubt.
Really jack boy ain’t nobody got time for that. You dumb like the union
Here’s a guy that is being thrown under the bus
I am sorry that the Moore family has been subjected to public opinion and ridicule as they worked out a personal matter. I am happy that they came to a satisfactory solution with the help of the courts. Both parties requested that court documents be sealed to protect all involved. This action speaks volumes to the good character of this family. Charles Moore is a public official who represents the Town of Bel Air. He serves and protects the citizens and inspires trust and discipline within his Law Enforcement Team. The most obvious negative consequence brought on by the publication of this personal matter is the harm caused to his professional reputation. Simply stated, a Protective Order is civil, not a criminal matter. The police union’s demand for an investigation is disappointing. This good man’s work history demonstrates his ability to be a successful leader. Whoever decides the future of Charles Moore and the Town of Bel Air, reinstate him to active status of Chief of Police.