MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Leaders in Morgantown are continuing their effort to enhance transparency within the police department with input from street officers and better communication with the public. The group participating in the process met Monday at 3 p.m. via Zoom conference.
Within the last two weeks members of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 87 and Attorney General have expressed concerns the effort could be in violation of Chapter 8 of West Virginia State Code. Chapter 8 details procedures to be used when hiring, promoting and discharging officers because under state law they unable to unionize, strike or collectively bargain.
The Morgantown Community Policing & Citizens Review Board meets each Monday at 3 p.m. to put the ordinance together and they are seeking outside input from professionals and community members, according to chair Zack Cruze.
“I think there is that misperception that this is a committee, and it’s closed,”Cruze said,”But, this actually more of a public meeting we have every Monday because there is not an actual committee.”
In the event of a complaint involving police officers and their use of excessive force, power or unprofessionalism, this committee would compile it’s own independent investigation. This would include holding hearings of those involved in said incident and an internal review of the incident at hand, the findings discovered and discussions of recommended discipline. These recommendations would then be submitted to the Mayor and Chief of Police to take further action on.
Morgantown city attorney, Ryan Simonton has reviewed the correspondence from the FOP and the attorney general and is working to determine what changes can be made while still maintaining the intended purpose of the proposed committee that would be created with the ordinance.
“Talking to the Attorney General’s office, asking the to have the provisions of the ordinance be reviewed and the extent to which they think it’s problematic,”Simonton said,”I don’t know if that’s an option or not, but I’d be willing to try to find that out.”
Mayor Ron Dulaney said he plans to issue a public statement to explain the purpose of the committee to quell questions. Dulaney also wants officer participation going forward.
“Participation by a couple of officers moving forward in the work of this committee, I think that would be fantastic,”Dulaney said,”We’ve been really calling for participation and broader support.”
West Virginia FOP president, Steve Walker attended the conference and agreed with the spirit of the group. Walker also told council members that police on the street need more tools to safely and fairly do their jobs.
“We need more mental, we need different social workers,”Walker said,”Police officers on the front lines could give you a wealth of knowledge and information that could help mold the exact ordinance you’re looking for.”
Interim city manager Emily Muzzarelli believes a balance can be struck that would allow council members to get the transparency they seek, while considering concerns from uniformed officers.
“I think there is a way to balance the desires and the intent of what the committee is trying to accomplish,”Muzzarelli said,”And support our police officers in what they’ve already been doing in trying to do community policing and meet state guidelines.”
Meeting of the committee are held on Mondays at 3 p.m. A link to participate in the meetings is at the city of Morgantown website.