Arbitrator judge reinstates former Wilkinsburg police officer to Penn Hills

An arbitrator judge has reinstated former Wilkinsburg police officer Robert Gowans to the Penn Hills Police Department.

Penn Hills manager Scott Andrejchak said Gowans was reinstated Nov. 24. The officer’s first day on the job was Dec. 13. Andrejchak declined to comment further.

Penn Hills Police Department hired Gowans in April, which drew backlash from the community and activists. While council was holding an emergency meeting about Gowans in May, a rally was taking place outside of the municipal building. The meeting resulted in the decision of the police department to fire Gowans.

Gowans is under investigation in the shooting death of 24-year-old Romir Talley on Dec. 22, 2019, in Wilkinsburg, which occurred when he was on duty as a Wilkinsburg officer. Allegheny County police say that Wilkinsburg police, in response to a 911 call, were in pursuit of Talley and that he fired one round at an unidentified police officer who returned fire.

The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the case.

Gowans filed a grievance with the Penn Hills Police Union for wrongful termination, according to Penn Hills police Chief Howard Burton. The union said the municipality did not go through the proper civil service proceedings to fire him. The grievance was sent to a neutral arbitrator in September, and a final decision was made in November.

“The arbitrator’s decision was made, and we have to abide by that decision,” Burton said.

Gowans is facing a federal lawsuit from the Talley family accusing him of using excessive force. The complaint states that Gowans shot Talley seven times, including once in the head.

Named as defendants in the lawsuit are the borough of Wilkinsburg, Gowans, Wilkinsburg police Chief Ophelia Coleman and Wilkinsburg Mayor Marita Garrett. There is also an unnamed female officer listed as a defendant, who the complaint said was acting as Gowans’ partner the night of the shooting.

Following Gowans’ firing in May, Andrejchak said he regretted hiring Gowans, and that aspects of the situation were misunderstood.

Burton said the investigation into Gowans and lawsuit were discussed during the interview process. In July, Mayor Pauline Calabrese called for the resignation of Burton over the hiring of Gowans. The motion did not pass because Calabrese and Councilman Frank Pecora were the only ones to vote yes. Burton’s contract ends Dec. 31.

Deputy Mayor Cathy Sapp said council will be discussing the reinstatement during the Dec. 20 meeting.

On Dec. 15, the Tribune-Review filed a right-to-know request with the municipality to obtain a copy of the arbitrator’s ruling per the municipality’s request. The request is still being processed.

“All requests for documents made to Penn Hills are treated as a Right to Know request,” Andrejchak said an email.