Chief Ed Preston
Morgantown Police Department
300 Spruce Street
Morgantown, WV 26505
Welcome to the Morgantown Police Department Web Site.
We hope you find it informative and useful. M.P.D. is a full service law enforcement agency with an authorized strength of 61 sworn police officers and 11 civilian support staff.
Our agency serves an area of approx 11 square miles and a population of nearly 30,000 full time residents. Morgantown is home to West Virginia University with a current enrollment of over 25,000 students. Our agency is constantly preparing to handle an influx of visitors as the city and university hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Our employees remain committed to providing for the security, safety and well being of our citizens and visitors.
Street Crimes Unit reinstated:
The police department Street Crimes Unit was reactivated on Saturday August 21. Members of the unit had been reassigned back to the patrol division to cover manpower shortages. The recent return of 3 officers who had been deployed to Iraq with the military and 3 additional officers who recently graduated from the police academy allowed the department to return the unit to service. The Street Crimes Unit (SCU) was organized in 2005 and has been a very successful in addressing problems both in residential and business areas. The unit will concentrate on drug/narcotic enforcement and policing the downtown area during peak hours.
Specialized Units K-9 Patrol Special Response Team Street Crimes Unit Underwater Search and Recovery Team Volunteer Community Service Officers Special Services Unit -Neighborhood Issues -Trash Enforcement -Neighborhood Parking -Traffic Issues -Neighborhood Watch support Special Event Information
Morgantown is the fastest growing city in West Virginia. With that growth comes additional challenges. We feel that we are in a position to meet those challenges as one of the most professional and respected law enforcement agencies in the state.
Police Department Info/Contacts
The police department functions in a semi military fashion with a rank system. The department is commanded by the Chief of Police and is split into divisions that are commanded by a supervisor.
With our now familiar, highly visible black and white patrol vehicles, the Patrol Division is the largest component of the department. Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, patrol officers will answer in excess of 40,000 emergency and non emergency calls for service each year.
Lt. Mike Lantz : Days Patrol Commander
(304)284-7445
Lt. Kevin Clark: Afternoon Patrol Commander
(304)284-7495
Lt. Deborah Mogus: Midnight Patrol Commander
(304)284-7449
Street Crimes Unit
The Street Crimes Unit is responsible for addressing specific problems within the City neighborhoods. Includes reducing violent crime; drug, narcotic, and alcohol enforcement; targeted traffic enforcement.
Unit Supervisor Sgt. Greg Knight
Special Services Unit
The Police Traffic Unit, Solid Waste Officer, and Downtown Beat assignment will be combined into a newly formed Special Services Unit (SSU), supervised by a Sergeant and initially staffed by 4 officers. The Special Services Unit will have the primary task of creatively dealing with quality of life issues. First and foremost, the Special Services Unit will be responsible for facilitating an improved partnership between our citizens and the Police Department. Officers assigned to the unit will work closely with neighborhood associations and downtown business owners. The unit will be committed to effectively solving neighborhood problems without placing a strain on the officers assigned to the patrol division.
Under the new unit, officers will share responsibilities and in some cases the entire unit will be responsible for a particular challenge or obstacle. The Special Services Unit will work closely with other City agencies, such as Code Enforcement, Fire Department Inspections, and Public Works. We look forward to improving our services and to being more responsive to the needs of our citizens.
Due to the increasing number of requests for city services, The Morgantown City Council recently approved a policy to be followed by groups or organizations who plan to hold a special event.
Special events are hard to define. Basically any activities that are outside the normal function(s) of a group or organization that may require additional city services would fall under the Special Event Policy. Activities or events such as Parades, Runs, Walks, Fairs, Festivals, Concerts or parties with live entertainment (requires noise waiver) would fall under the new policy.
Anyone requesting a permit for such activities must submit an application at least 15 DAYS PRIOR to the event taking place. Applications are available at the City Managers Office located at 389 Spruce Street and are subject to an administrative fee of $20.00.
Once the application is filed, it is sent to the Police Department Special Services Unit who evaluates and coordinates events held within the city. They will meet with representative(s) to discuss the event and any special needs or issues such as traffic detours, barricades etc. Once all details are worked out, the application is forwarded to other departments within to the city, including the city manger, for final approval. Depending on the scope of an event, many departments and/or agencies may need to be involved. Therefore, advanced planning is highly encouraged. It pays to submit preliminary applications more than 15 days in advance. If you have questions concerning your event, contact the Special Services Unit of the Morgantown Police Department at 304-284-7505.
Authorities 
