MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has notified Morgantown officials about his office’s continued opposition to a law enforcement board proposal.
Morrisey sent a letter to city leaders on Thursday to again stress concerns with a possible civilian police review and advisory board. Morrisey has argued such bodies for investigating police actions are against state law.
“It remains the opinion of the Office of the Attorney General that the Morgantown City Council does not have the legal authority to enact any municipal ordinance purporting to conduct investigations or hearings in connection with complaints relating to members of the Morgantown Police Department,” Morrisey said.
The attorney general said a proposed police review board would violate state law requiring complaints against police officers to be addressed by the Police Civil Service Commission.
Morrisey said city leaders have taken the issue seriously, noting the acceptance of public comment and prior opinions of the Attorney General’s office.
The Monongalia and Preston counties Fraternal Order of Police chapter last month retained Teresa Toriseva as legal counsel in challenging the board.