No action taken on Vandergrift police officer's employment following lengthy closed-door meeting

The fate of a Vandergrift police officer who has been the target of an internal investigation for his conduct while on duty during an April incident remains unresolved.

Officer William Moore, a 20-year veteran of the department, has been on paid leave since shortly after the April 17 incident.

During a special borough council meeting Thursday, officials went behind closed doors for a nearly two-hour executive session to discuss what they said was a personnel issue regarding Moore. At times, officials could be overheard speaking in raised voices.

“There will be no action taken tonight,” borough Solicitor Larry Loperfito said after the session ended. “I can’t comment. It’s a personnel matter.”

Loperfito could not give a timeline on when the borough’s investigation would end.

Moore, who did not attend Thursday’s meeting, could not be reached for comment.

Footage of the incident was filmed by a Black customer being questioned by Moore at a borough restaurant. Moore, 53, initiated a conversation with customer Marcus Townsend, 20, of Vandergrift inside the restaurant after responding to a Westmoreland County 911 report of a Black male smoking marijuana outside.

Townsend posted several videos on social media after the incident and was critical of Moore’s handling of it. Attorney General Josh Shapiro weighed in on the footage, posting on Twitter that he thought Moore behaved unprofessionally.

Townsend could not be reached for comment Thursday.

About a dozen residents attended Thursday’s meeting in support of Moore. Two residents who identified themselves as friends of Moore addressed council.

Joseph Watt, an ex-borough employee, said he has known Moore for more than 15 years.

“Moore is one of the better officers in the borough. I don’t think he did anything wrong. He’s been thrown under the bus,” Watt said. Watt said he has four biracial grandchildren that Moore has treated well.

“How can he be prejudiced if he helps a biracial child?” Watt said.

Andrew James Tvrdovsky said Moore previously had two biracial relatives who are now deceased.

“We used to take them hunting,” Tvrdovsky said. “I think things got a little out of hand (during the April 17 incident), but I don’t understand this racial stuff. It just can’t be.”

The April incident was not the first time Moore has been placed on paid leave. He was removed from duty in 2017 after police said he assaulted and threatened a 14-year-old boy. Online court records show Moore pleaded guilty in Armstrong County Court to a summary count of harassment and paid a fine.