MORGANTOWN — West Virginia University said Thursday University Police Chief W.P. Chedester is stepping down from the top spot because of medical reasons, but will remain in the department as a lieutenant.
Chedester, who makes $128,400 a year, was not available for comment Thursday.
“After careful consideration in consultation with my family, health care providers and WVU colleagues, I have made the difficult decision to step down from my position as university police chief,” he said in a statement released by WVU. “It truly has been a privilege to lead the university police these past two years, and I look forward to protect and serve our campus community in my new role while focusing on my health at the same time.”
Phil Scott, who previously served as deputy chief, will serve as the interim chief. The university will conduct a nationwide search for Chedester’s replacement, said April Kaull, WVU’s executive director of communications.
“We are just beginning the search process and are focused on identifying the right candidate with the experience and qualifications to lead the UPD team which includes 57 officers. There is not a defined timeline at this point,” Kaull said in an email.
Chedester joined the WVU police force in 2002, after graduating from Fairmont State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and completing training at the West Virginia State Police Academy.
He became chief in 2018 with the retirement of Bob Roberts.
He came under scrutiny in June after displaying a Blue Lives Matter flag while participating in a WVU Campus Conversation Event on the need for racial diversity. The Blue Lives Matter movement came into being in 2014 following the death of two New York City police officers and has been questioned in recent years because of reports of police brutality.
Following the video meeting, many in WVU’s campus community called for Chedester’s ouster. The chief later apologized and took the flag down from his office wall.
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