We are here to help. The MPD provides programs designed to ensure personal safety and protect property.

Going out of town for business or vacation? No problem, we’ve got you covered. Let us know when you’ll be gone, and we can make sure your residence is included in our patrols.

As part of its emphasis on community policing, the MPD staff's a LGBTQ+ Liaison to provide a connection for LGBTQ+ residents. The liaison is responsible for fostering positive relations between the Police Department and the LGBTQ+ community. The liaison is a voice and an advocate within the department for persons with diverse sexual orientation and will be able to bring personal awareness of LGBTQ+ issues to Police Department policy/procedure review and development as well as to training curriculum. The current liaison is Patrolman Marshall Foster.

The CIT program consists of 12 officers which take part in training centered around methods for responding to individuals that are experiencing a crisis related to psychological or substance abuse issues. They are trained to divert these individuals to facilities that are better equipped to provide treatment for those issues. Officers in the CIT program are part of a regular crew and are “dressed down” with less formal, but identifying attire. When a crisis situation is identified the CIT member will receive the call and be the primary responding officer.

We are the Morgantown Police Department. A full-service law enforcement agency with an authorized strength of 76 sworn police officers and 12 civilian support staff. 

We strive to provide outstanding services with integrity, respect, and fairness while providing a safe environment. We serve an area of approximately 11 square miles and a population of more than 30,000 residents. Morgantown is the third-largest city in the state of West Virginia and is home to West Virginia University with an annual enrollment of approximately 30,000 students. Our employees remain committed to providing for the security, safety, and well-being of our citizens and visitors. 

Be amongst the brave men and women that make up the Morgantown Police Department.

Integrity Focused.
Fairness Applied.
Respect Earned.

Earned experience, individual dedication, and community service define MPD's leadership.

Police Chief Eric Powell was born and raised in Morgantown. He graduated from Morgantown High School in 1986. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from West Virginia State University and a Master of Public Administration from West Virginia University.

Chief Powell has served with the Morgantown Police Department for 22 years. Prior to joining MPD, Powell was a corrections officer with the Monongalia County Sheriffs Office for four years. During his time with the MPD he served as a Patrol Officer for six years, Detective for six years, and first-line supervisor in the Patrol Division and the Street Crimes Unit. He was then appointed to staff services initially as Staff Service Administrator then as the Deputy Chief of Police. Powell served as the Deputy Chief for three years where he was responsible for all patrol operations.

Powell is a certified OC instructor as well as an accident reconstructionist and polygraph examiner. He graduated from the 264th class of the FBI National Academy.

Powell is a member of the following associations:

International Association of Chiefs of Police

West Virginia Chiefs of Police Association

Eric Powell

Captain Chad Reyes has been a part of the Morgantown Police Department for 19 years. He was recently promoted from Lieutenant to Captain in 2023.

Chad Reyes

Chris Ruehmer was selected for the position of Deputy Police Chief in 2023. Ruehmer has worked as a law enforcement officer for 30 years. Before his time with the Morgantown Police Department, he served as Police Lieutenant for the Cincinnati Police Department, a role he fulfilled for 19 years of his career.

Throughout his career, Ruehmer served as Investigative Unit Commander, Relief Commander for the patrol unit, and dual roles of Vice Unit Commander and Director of The Ohio Attorney General’s Southwest Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force.

Chris Ruehmer

I became a police officer because I am an extrovert and I love helping people everyday. I like to interact with the college students that attend WVU while I'm working. Police officers are mainly the ones who come to you when you are in need of help, but just interacting with the students that are experiencing freedom for the first time and giving them life advice is my favorite part of the job.

Austin Bittner

As police officers, we often interact with the public on their worst days. I like my job the most when I'm able to help improve someone's day and make it even the slightest bit better. You never know what kind of impact your words or attitude can have on someone's day or life. I enjoy helping people and I want to make my hometown community a safer and better place to live.

Alexandra Arthurs

I became a police officer because I wanted to help people. Leaving the military and becoming a police officer offered me the same structure, chain of command, and brotherhood the military did so it was an easy transition. One of the best things about being a Morgantown police officer is the team of co-workers that I have. I really enjoy working with them. Another thing I enjoy is that being a police officer is not a boring job where you sit behind a desk all day. Every day is different and brings new challenges. When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with my family, my dogs, my friends, and taking in all the great things that Morgantown has to offer.

If anyone is considering applying I would highly recommend becoming a police officer for the Morgantown Police Department. We have a lot to offer compared to most other departments. We have plenty of specialty positions and extra duties from Special Response Team, detectives, K-9, and many more.

Sikarin Iambamrung "Bam"

The following statistics and reports provide an overview of MPD activities within the Morgantown area.

Vehicle Accident Report

2021 MPD Performance Metrics

About

Monday – Friday
7:00am to 6:00pm
(Closed Holidays)

Integrity Focused.
Fairness Applied.
Respect Earned.

Mission Statement

MPD Leadership

Eric Powell

Chad Reyes

Chris Ruehmer

Community Programs

Vacation Check

LGBTQ+ Liaison

Crisis Intervention Team

Vacation Check

Statistics & Reports

Vehicle Accident Report

2021 MPD Performance Metrics

Careers

Integrity Focused.Fairness Applied.Respect Earned.

Mission Statement

MPD Leadership

Eric Powell

Chad Reyes

Chris Ruehmer

Community Programs

Vacation Check .css-onkibi{width:1em;height:1em;display:inline-block;line-height:1em;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;color:currentColor;vertical-align:middle;}

LGBTQ+ Liaison

Crisis Intervention Team

Vacation Check

Statistics & Reports

Vehicle Accident Report

2021 MPD Performance Metrics

Careers

Integrity Focused.
Fairness Applied.
Respect Earned.

Vacation Check