KINGWOOD — The Kingwood City Police Department is growing, according to Mayor Jean Guillot.
The department hired another officer, bringing its number to three.
Officer Gina McNemar said she is looking forward to working with Chief Charley Haney and Officer Doug Montague.
Montague also recently joined the department after retiring from the Morgantown Police force.
McNemar was previously employed at the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center as a phlebotomist and medical assistant.
All three officers are certified, according to Guillot.
“I’m glad to have the help,” Haney said. “I can change the schedule and we will be working later. Hopefully as time goes on, up to midnight.”
McNemar said she moved to law enforcement because she believed the best to help people was “boots on the ground and getting to know the community.”
”I’m excited about doing some community activities,” she said. “I want to go talk to the kids in the schools.
“Kids are afraid of the police. I want to change that stigma.”
Montague said there was a big difference in being an officer in Preston County compared to Morgantown.
“Preston County is slower paced. In Mon County the radio was non-stop,” he said. “People here wave to you a lot more and are more friendly.”
Haney said Kingwood City Council is looking for funding and another officer could be added to the force in April.
Public messages and current events can be found on Facebook under Kingwood Police Department.
TWEET@ DominionPostWV
