6:00: Morning News

Morgantown stays with Powell as police chief

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Interim Chief of Police in Morgantown Eric Powell has been named to serve permanently in that position.

Morgantown Police Chief Eric Powell

“I am honored to lead a team of professional men and women who strive every day to serve the City of Morgantown with compassion and commitment,” Powell said in a release from the city. “It is a great honor to have the support of our community and city leadership. We will continue to work together to keep Morgantown and its citizens safe.”

Powell has served in the interim role since the retirement of Ed Preston in June of 2020.

“Eric brings with him a great deal of experience in law enforcement,” said City Manager Kim Haws. “While serving as interim chief over the past several months Eric has proved that he is a capable leader with the community’s best interest at heart. He is always looking for ways to improve the department and its relationship with all citizens.”

“It’s a relief to know they have the kind of faith in me that this position requires,” Powell told WAJR Radio Tuesday. “It feels good, it feels really good.”

Powell said he’s thankful to have had the opportunity to serve with and learn from Preston.

“He was a mentor and I learned an awful lot about the right way to do things from Chief Preston and I’m so grateful for all of that,” Powell said.

The door will always be open when a citizen has a comment, complaint or question, according to Powell. Open lines of communication help the public understand police policies and build relationships.

“I have a total open door policy. I welcome emails, calls on the phone- all you have to do is go to the police website and it’s all there,” Powell said.

Powell, who grew up in Morgantown, joined the Morgantown Police Department in 1997. Before joining the police department, Before that he served as a correctional officer for the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department. Powell has held several positions in the MPD including officer, detective, supervisor and deputy chief.

“I came up through the ranks in the department,” Powell said. “I think it gives any officer that might have an idea of pursuing a career in police administration it maybe encourages them to work hard to achieve that goal.”

Powell said he now looks forward to building relationships and working with the community.

“I make the solemn promise to all the citizens that live within the city of Morgantown that I will do my utmost best to ensure they continue to receive high quality police service throughout the time I’m chief,” Powell said.





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