MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Law enforcement organizations in Monongalia County are working to increase interest in serving on departments.
Monongalia County Sheriff Perry Palmer said he believes last year’s protests over systemic racism and Tuesday’s guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin case have discouraged some people from pursuing a career in law enforcement.
“A lot of the people that at one time wanted to be police officers just don’t think it’s worth it,” he said.
“There a few bad apples in this line of duty, but that’s not to take away from the 98% or 99% of the other ones trying to do the right thing, and I think our county knows that.”
Morgantown Police Chief Eric Powell notes there has been a steady interest in department positions, although enrollment is down slightly because of attrition and retiring officers.
“Maybe we can speed that process up as far as getting new people in and getting all the necessary background investigations they need to go through before being offered the position,” he said.
The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office will hold a testing event for people interested in being a deputy on May 1. Candidates who pass an agility test will be offered an opportunity to take a written test later that day.