MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Jason Morgan is running as a Republican for sheriff in Monongalia County on the Republican ticket and wants to use his road experience and decades as a first responder.

On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” Morgan said the residents of the county are ready for a different type of leadership. Morgan wants to bring his 36 years of experience as a first responder to foster a stronger operational presence with road departments while maintaining the administrative functions of the department.

“I’m prepared to bring much desired change to the citizens of Monongalia County, Morgan said. “They’re tired of some old playbook, and as the next sheriff, I promised to be proactive, transparent, and visible.”

Morgan said he has taken the required tests to be an administrative leader of the department but made the decision to remain on the road. Sheriff Perry Palmer also assigned Morgan to work as the Humane Officer to investigate crimes against animals.

“For the last 16 years, that’s what I did—traffic stops, vehicle crashes, armed robberies, domestic disputes, sexual assaults, whatever it may be,” Morgan said. “So, as for being in the trenches, those are the trenches—that is the frontline.”

If elected, Morgan plans to hold meetings with area law enforcement agencies to find ways to collaborate and increase the level of public safety. Coordinating these efforts and sharing information will likely make fighting the local drug problem more productive.

“I think meeting with them and trying to come up with a plan on how to attack the opioid epidemic,” Morgan said. “I think that’s probably going to be one of the best starts as sheriff.”

Morgantown would like to see enough school resource officers to serve in all Monongalia County schools. The officers could be retired military, retired law enforcement, or volunteers with the proper training. The officer could provide some instruction to students as well about safety, drugs, and bullying.

“I also would like to possibly think about having the school resource officer program fall under the sheriff’s department,” Morgan said. “Everybody falls under one group; everybody is dressed the same, and they can train and interact with the other resource officers in the county.”

According to Morgan, in 2021 the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department had 46 deputies, and today that number has fallen to 33, with four new administrative positions added in the last year. Morgan said he would like to reinstate the Street Crimes unit to increase police presence on the street as well.

Morgan would expand recruitment efforts beyond Monongalia County and avoid hiring officers from other municipalities. Tapping experienced candidates from outside the area and trade/technical schools would be an option to increase the overall police presence countywide while addressing their own staffing needs.

“We have an issue where the agency will try to recruit from other agencies—the University Police Department, Westover Police Department, and Star City Police Department,” Morgan said. “All that does is just shorten those municipalities that may not have the money the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department has.”

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