We are continually looking for qualified candidates to join our team. Are you ready to take the next step in your career?

The hiring process to become a Morgantown Police Officer begins with submitting an application. Applications may be filled out 

, printed out, and mailed or picked up at the Morgantown City Clerk's office located on the third floor in Morgantown City Hall at 389 Spruce Street, Morgantown, WV, 26505. An examination fee of $25 is due at the time of application, which can be paid online here. Applicants will be contacted by our recruitment officer to keep them engaged and help them prepare for the hiring process.

Step One - Submitting Application

Applicants must complete the Police Civil Service Exam and physical agility test, which is held twice a year, typically in the Spring and Fall. This year's testing dates have been set for March 16, 2024 and June 8, 2024. ALL employees of the Police Department go through an extensive background investigation, polygraph examination and a psychological evaluation before they are hired.

Step Two - Civil Service Exam

After candidates are hired, they are sent to the Police Academy for four months where they will learn the basics of being a police officer.

Step Three - Police Academy

Following the police academy, new officers are put into a field training program with regimented training and daily evaluation from experienced officers.

Step Four - Field Training Program

Following the training period, the officer is then placed on probation for one year and must complete all in-service training as mandated by the State Training and Standards Commission and the Morgantown Police Department. Our department standard is much more stringent than required by the state, solely because we want well trained officers and we want you to have the tools and knowledge to handle any situation. The process may seem long, but you will come out well prepared to be a successful Morgantown Police Officer.

If you have any questions about the process or what it takes to be a Morgantown Police Officer, contact us at MPDrecruit@morgantownwv.gov.

Residency: Within one-hour driving time of the MPD within 90 days of hiring

Step Five - One Year Probation

Careers

When you join the Morgantown Police Department, you’re making an investment in your future and taking the first steps toward a rewarding career. We make a difference in our community every time we put on the uniform.

Our officers are highly trained and respected throughout law enforcement. We place importance on training to ensure our officers are equipped to handle whatever they encounter. Our annual training includes de-escalation and implicit bias.

We respect all people and emphasize community policing and developing relationships with community members to make Morgantown a safe environment for everyone.

Uniform Provided & Equipment Tuition Reimbursement

The Task Force Detective is assigned to the Detective Unit and performs duties to include drug investigations, managing informants, assisting Detectives with investigations, and administrative work. 

Officers assigned to the Drug Task Force are primarily responsible for the collection and analysis of physical evidence, conducting criminal investigations, interviewing witnesses and suspects. The Task Force Detective is also responsible for preparing and maintaining evidence records, reports, interviews, and all manner of investigative work product as well as testifying in court. Candidates must have two years of law enforcement experience. Candidates must have exhibited reasonably aggressive work habits indicating a desire and propensity for completion of criminal investigations. Candidates must be recommended by their supervisor as to the work abilities of the candidate and agree to a three-to-five-year commitment.

Drug Task Force

The CIU work involves participating in such activities as collecting, analyzing, identifying, and preserving physical evidence and instructing and assisting other department personnel in crime scene processing and evidence collection. 

Detectives in the Morgantown Police Department are primarily responsible for the collection and analysis of physical evidence, conducting criminal investigations, and interviewing witnesses and suspects. Detectives are assigned to the Criminal Investigations Unit and perform such duties as processing crime scenes and administrative work. Detectives are also responsible for preparing and maintaining evidence records, reports, interviews, and all manner of investigative work product as well as testifying in court. Detectives are required, if needed, to stand call on an “on-call” schedule and may be required to respond to crime scenes at any given time. Detective candidates should have knowledge of modern criminal investigative practices, standards, materials, techniques, and equipment associated with modern criminal investigations.

 Must meet and maintain all requirements for the position as established by the City of Morgantown and State of West Virginia. Must have successfully completed probation and have no sustained internal investigations which resulted in disciplinary action within the past (6) months and an “Exceeds Standards” evaluation for the previous two (2) years.

Detective

Officers seeking to become K-9 handlers are eligible for this position after completing two years of service as a patrol officer and may apply when a position becomes open.

K-9 handler candidates must demonstrate a good working understanding of the needs of a K-9 partner, must be willing to commit to keeping the K-9 fed and cared for, must demonstrate a high degree of dependability and responsibility, and complete the state-required certification course.

This position is a sworn member of the Morgantown Police Department selected to primarily assist with the downtown businesses, conducting frequent foot patrols and being highly visible as a general deterrent for any issues in the downtown business district.

This officer will also attend various public meetings, such as Morgantown City Council and Neighborhood Association meetings. Officers of the SSU must demonstrate a highly professional and people-oriented demeanor. They should be skilled in de-escalation and creating working relationships with a diverse group of people. The SSU Officer may be required to assist in a safety role for various special events such as marathons, parades, and outdoor events taking place within the city. Officers assigned to the SSU should have a very good working knowledge of the ordinances associated with permitting and conducting special events.

Special Services

MPD dispatch consists of receiving calls to the station, taking minor incident reports over the phone, relaying information to officers in the field, and monitoring security cameras.

Dispatchers must have a customer service focus. They should be well organized and able to deal with complaints in a professional and helpful manner. Dispatchers must be effective communicators and capable of navigating various computer access functions.

Dispatch

Members of the Morgantown Police Department Special Response Team are selected from current patrol officers with a minimum of two years of service in the patrol officer capacity.  

Candidates must demonstrate reliability and be in exceptional physical condition. They must be capable of working in a team environment and have proficiency in the use of breaching equipment and firearms. To be considered for this position officers must be willing to be available at short notice and have an exemplary work performance history.

Special Response Team

Officers wishing to be part of the dive team must be capable of attaining a master diver certification within one year of acceptance. They must have acceptable performance evaluations within the previous two years of selection and must be available for call-out on short notice.

Officers selected to the team are expected to participate in bi-weekly training exercises and be willing to travel to locations outside of the greater Morgantown area. This position requires excellent physical health and involves diving for evidence location, body retrieval, and motor vehicle location.

Scuba

The patrol officer is the first point of contact for citizens who are in distress or need assistance and must be always courteous and professional. The patrol officer is expected to maintain positive community relations through communication and interaction with citizens, businesses, and members of the community, and must be service-oriented.

The patrol function is the most important and primary function that the Morgantown Police Department offers to the citizens it serves. Every entry-level officer begins his or her career as a patrol officer. The patrol officer responds to and initiates calls for service received through a 911 dispatch center. The patrol officer conducts security checks and house watches in neighborhoods and businesses, completes reports, conducts preliminary investigations, enforces traffic laws, and investigates motor vehicle accidents. The patrol officer also serves warrants and protective orders and makes arrests.

Patrol

Monday – Friday
7:00am to 6:00pm
(Closed Holidays)

I became a police officer because I am an extrovert and I love helping people everyday. I like to interact with the college students that attend WVU while I'm working. Police officers are mainly the ones who come to you when you are in need of help, but just interacting with the students that are experiencing freedom for the first time and giving them life advice is my favorite part of the job.

Austin Bittner

As police officers, we often interact with the public on their worst days. I like my job the most when I'm able to help improve someone's day and make it even the slightest bit better. You never know what kind of impact your words or attitude can have on someone's day or life. I enjoy helping people and I want to make my hometown community a safer and better place to live.

Alexandra Arthurs

I became a police officer because I wanted to help people. Leaving the military and becoming a police officer offered me the same structure, chain of command, and brotherhood the military did so it was an easy transition. One of the best things about being a Morgantown police officer is the team of co-workers that I have. I really enjoy working with them. Another thing I enjoy is that being a police officer is not a boring job where you sit behind a desk all day. Every day is different and brings new challenges. When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with my family, my dogs, my friends, and taking in all the great things that Morgantown has to offer.

If anyone is considering applying I would highly recommend becoming a police officer for the Morgantown Police Department. We have a lot to offer compared to most other departments. We have plenty of specialty positions and extra duties from Special Response Team, detectives, K-9, and many more.

Serve with
the best.

Why MPD?

Hiring Process

Career Paths

Drug Task Force

Detective

K9

Special Services

Dispatch

Special Response Team

Scuba

Patrol

Officer Spotlight

Austin Bittner

Serve with the best.

Why MPD?

Hiring Process

Career Paths

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Detective

K9

Special Services

Dispatch

Special Response Team

Scuba

Patrol

Officer Spotlight

Austin Bittner

Serve with
the best.

Drug Task Force