MORGANTOWN — Since the formation of the Morgantown Civilian Police Review & Advisory Board, the body has never had a full complement of nine members.
During Wednesday’s meeting, members once again questioned why.
The issue has become a recurring talking point at the board’s regular monthly meetings.
There are currently seven members on the advisory board. The last member appointed by Morgantown City Council, Bryan Church, interviewed in March 2023.
Since then, there have been a handful of applicants interviewed by council, including three in 2024.
But no appointments.
“This has been such a pain in my butt,” Chairman Richard Burks said. “I’ve talked to several people about applying. I want to go back to some of the people they’ve denied.”
Burks said his frustration dates back to the board’s first meeting, noting “There really wasn’t any legitimate reason why we didn’t have a full board when we started.”
According to meeting minutes available on the city’s website, council interviewed approximately two dozen individuals for the board between late 2021 and March 2023. When it finally convened for the first time in April 2023, it had five members.
Catherine Fonseca said she recently encouraged another applicant, but isn’t sure what advice to give in terms of getting through the interview.
“I don’t know how to advise her to do well in those interviews, because I don’t really know what they’re looking for,” Fonseca said, adding, “We’re supposed to present our annual report to city council at an upcoming meeting. I think it would be great to highlight the need for more transparency and clarity so that we can advise the folks we’re referring how they might prepare for those interviews, because it is disappointing to refer people. I think we’re active in referring people more than any other board that I know.”
Burks said that’s part of what he doesn’t understand.
“The ironic thing about it is any other board or commission that they have, it doesn’t have the same level of scrutiny. They’re always begging for people. If they apply, they usually get on,” he said. “I don’t know. All we can do is continue and try to get some information from the city council and say, ‘What are you looking for?’”
Bob Cohen suggested the body may have better luck later this year.
“City council might be better after the next election,” he said, referencing the city’s April 29 election to fill the 2nd, 4th and 6th ward council seats.
