MORGANTOWN — Multiple sources within the Morgantown Police Department say the department is facing a crisis.
They explain a lack of adequate staffing in combination with upcoming changes to city policy, including the elimination of shift differential and new rules for calculating overtime, have morale at an all-time low.
“In plain English, we’re flat running out of police officers,” one officer said. “This department is in a very tough spot.”
As previously reported, at least a quarter of the department’s allotted 76 officer positions are unfilled.
“We’re always at minimum manning. Close to being below it at times,” an officer explained.
Another said they are aware of seven officers leaving this year for other positions or early retirement and another 15-20 actively looking for other opportunities.
“Do the math,” they added.
Under the new city policy, which takes effect next month, overtime doesn’t kick in until after 40 hours on the job and paid time off will be capped at 360 hours.
Currently, an officer receives overtime for working anything beyond their daily shift, like a parade or other special events.
“The problem is that because we’ve been short officers for a while, guys have accrued a lot of time and they’re making them use it or they won’t be able to accrue any more time. So guys have to take time off,” an officer explained.
And an officer that has used or plans to use PTO time during a pay period, isn’t likely to volunteer to work a special event for straight time.
Going forward, officers say there is serious doubt as to whether the department can adequately staff large events like the WVU Homecoming Parade, with one explaining “I don’t see how it’s possible.”
Morgantown Communications Director Andrew Stacy said no events in the city have been canceled and the city is committed to working with MPD leadership on the staffing issue.
But officers are frustrated.
It was explained that the loss of shift differential will result in a cut in pay for some come July 1, even with the city’s 3% employee raises.
In a recent communication to city leadership obtained by The Dominion Post, MPD Deputy Chief P.J. Scott said the city needs to increase officer pay by at least 20% if it wants to attract and keep officers.
Scott notes that a Morgantown officer with one year on the job earns $48,048 — less than an officer with the same experience at the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department ($50,000), the Westover Police Department ($50,128) and the city of Fairmont ($48,712), among others.
“Had previous administrations kept up with pay in an adequate manner, then the issues we are facing now would be nowhere near as dire as they are,” Scott wrote.
Asked if a 20% raise for officers is something the city would consider, Stacy said that would put MPD above all other law enforcement agencies in the state except the state police, adding “The fact is that pay alone is not the reason for staffing issues within the department.”
Scott agrees, explaining the creation of the Morgantown Civilian Police Review and Advisory Board — which was struck down by the courts and significantly reworked following a lawsuit brought by the Monongalia-Preston Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #87 — has also been a factor.
“Over the past two years we have gone through a pandemic, more divisive attitudes and perceptions on policing, a dispute over the police review board and most recently, newly implemented policies that many view as negatively affecting police employees more than any other city department,” he wrote.
“In particular, the changes to calculations for overtime pay, holiday pay, and elimination of shift differential pay are being taken by some officers as a sign of disrespect, or even worse, by others as retaliation over the review board lawsuit.”
Scott’s comments echoed those of a former MPD officer who reached out to The Dominion Post earlier this year.
“The situation is becoming dire for our officers. We need to offer our support before irreparable damage is done.”
