Penn Hills Mayor Pauline Calabrese on Monday called for the resignation of police Chief Howard Burton over the hiring of a police officer under investigation in the shooting death of Romir Talley in Wilkinsburg.
Calabrese said it is time for accountability in the hiring of former Wilkinsburg Officer Robert Gowans in May.
“Something happened here that was botched no matter what perspective you look at it from,” she said.
Gowans is under investigation in the shooting death of Talley, 24, on Dec. 22, 2019, in Wilkinsburg. Gowans was on duty as a Wilkinsburg officer at the time. 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.
The hiring drew backlash from the Penn Hills community, which came together to hold a rally/press conference in front of the municipal building on May 17. The backlash resulted in council holding an emergency meeting, when Penn Hills Manager Scott Andrejchak, who was in charge of the hiring, fired Gowans the same day.
The motion calling for Burton’s resignation did not pass as Calabrese and Councilman Frank Pecora were the only ones to vote yes. Calabrese said she will bring up the topic again, citing the lack of meetings to discuss the matter. Calabrese emphasized that she and council are not in charge of who gets hired or fired, but that council was not aware of Gowans’ hiring.
Deputy Mayor Cathy Sapp cited the six months left in Burton’s contract as why she voted no. Burton’s contract ends in December.
“To call for his resignation now will leave our building in distress,” she said.
Councilman John Petrucci agreed with Sapp’s comments, adding that the resignation would upset the community.
“I don’t think it was the right idea,” he said.
While she called for the motion, Calabrese stated she is not anti-police and is “very proud” of the police department.
Gowans also 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, police Chief Ophelia Coleman and 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.
Burton was not immediately available for comment.
