Settlement talks prompt delay of trial in sheriff’s lawsuit over Westmoreland vehicle policy

The trial was postponed until early November.

By RICH CHOLODOFSKY
TribLive

Settlement talks to resolve Sheriff James Albert’s lawsuit that challenges a policy approved two years ago by Westmoreland commissioners led to the delay of a nonjury trial that was scheduled for Monday.

The policy requires GPS trackers be placed on all county vehicles.

The trial was postponed until early November after lawyers for the sheriff and county met privately Friday with Common Pleas Court Judge Harry Smail Jr.

“The county indicated they felt they could get a resolution without a trial but needed more time,” Albert said.

Westmoreland County Solicitor Melissa Guiddy confirmed the county asked for the trial delay to allow settlement talks to progress.

County commissioners in 2024 implemented an updated policy that governs how its fleet of about 190 vehicles are operated and controlled throughout all departments, including the sheriff’s office. Commissioners said the real-time GPS tracking, monitored by the fleet manager in the public works department, is necessary to ensure vehicles are properly used and maintained.

Albert sought to exempt his department from the tracking provision, claiming it was a security risk and that commissioners did not have the authority to intervene in the internal operations of his office.

Smail last year rejected Albert’s claim that commissioners overstepped their power in mandating the tracking devices. The judge did not rule on the legality of the new policy and deferred a decision on that issue, a finding that set the stage for a trial.

The tracking component for sheriff’s department vehicles has been on hold since October 2024, when the judge issued an injunction following the filing of Albert’s lawsuit. That injunction remains in place.