MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The ordinance to establish a citizens police review board in Morgantown will go before council members for the first time May 4. On WAJR’s Talk of the Town, deputy mayor Rachel Fetty said hours of effort from volunteers, elected officials and local leaders worked together to draft the document.
“I think we’re actually around 10 months now,’ Fetty said,” It was really an extraordinary process where everyone got to participate in the sausage making.”
Early in the process, WVU professor of sociology Jim Nolan presented policing data specific to Morgantown. The data showed people of color are more likely to be stopped by police or be arrested for drugs. Some of the data suggested some crimes may have been under reported, according to Nolan.
“I think we were just provided this evidence that was inescapable about this tremendous conflict we have,” Fetty said,” And the necessity of taking action.”
There are no complaints against police that are under investigation. The Morgantown Police Department was the first agency in the state to voluntarily submit use of force data to the FBI and continues to do so. Additionally, officers wear body cameras and employ tactics promoted by some protest groups.
Removed from the ordinance is the power to conduct investigations and receive complaints directly. The board will be able to review evidence and question witnesses. The board cannot interview police officers, but they can request further information from the chief of police.
According to Fetty, of the hundreds of comments were received from the public, nearly 200 were calls to defund the police.
“I really view those letters as a righteous demand that we do something,” Fetty said,” And that we make sure that we’re doing our part as policy makers to hold ourselves as a community accountable.”
Deputy mayor Rachel Fetty said ordinance language has been changed to observe the state statute governing police personnel policies. That was also a concern raised early on by attorney general Patrick Morrisey.
Fetty believes the ordinance is a thoughtful attempt to increase safety and transparency.
“It creates a board that allow a group of people to put on the shoes of the complainant who is concerned about the misconduct,” Fetty said,” And reflect the concerns of the community.”