A Morgantown Police Officer who’s been with the department more than 20 years will serve as the department’s interim chief.
Deputy Chief Eric Powell will lead the department while Morgantown finds a replacement for Chief Ed Preston who is resigning from the department on June 30 after a little over nine years as chief, City Manager Paul Brake said.
“Deputy Chief Powell has played an important role in maintaining the high standards of the department and has worked tirelessly for the community,” Brake said. “He is an experienced police administrator and officer and I am confident in Eric’s ability to lead the department while we work through the selection process for this very important position.”
Powell joined the MPD in 1997 after four years as a correctional officer for the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department.
While at the MPD, Powell has served as an officer, detective, first line supervisor and deputy chief. He has been involved in the management of the department and as deputy chief is responsible for all patrol operations.
Powell has a master’s degree in public administration and is a graduate of the FBI national academy. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the West Virginia Chiefs of Police Association.
Morgantown is preparing to conduct an “extensive search” for a new police chief, likely after its current search for a new city manager, according to Communications Director Andrew Stacy.
