WHEELING - The statewide need for West Virginia State Police troopers is most serious in the Northern Panhandle, according to the Wheeling Detachment's top officer.
The recent results of a legislative survey indicate a majority of State Police troopers believe there are not enough officers in the field throughout the Mountain State. Sgt. Scott Adams is one who believes there is a serious trooper shortage - and he said a remedy for the problem should first be sought in this area.
Adams is the supervisor at the Wheeling Detachment, where there are only three other troopers. He's in charge of scheduling, and the shortage of officers makes it difficult for him to keep all the shifts covered. Adams said a trooper's most important job is investigating crimes, so the lack of manpower is noticed most on Northern Panhandle roads.
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"That's where it hurts," Adams said. "We are not on the road. Investigation takes priority over writing a ticket. It's worse here (in the Northern Panhandle) than anywhere in the state."
The largest staff locally is at the Moundsville Detachment, where there are seven troopers. Adams said with four troopers including himself, the manpower situation at the Wheeling Detachment is bad. However, it may be even worse elsewhere. There are only three troopers at each detachment in New Cumberland, Paden City and Hundred. There are only two troopers serving at the detachment in Wellsburg.
"Manpower is a huge issue," Adams said. "We don't have enough troopers - period. It's a legislative issue. Our legislators need to ask why."
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West Virginia Sen. Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, on Wednesday said he was not aware of a staffing concern within the ranks of the West Virginia State Police. He said he hoped to find out whether the problem involved retiring troopers not being replaced or not enough new troopers joining the ranks. He said it is the duty of the Legislature to fix the problem if it does exist.
"It seems to me we have been filling the State Police academy classes," Kessler said. "Obviously, it's something we have to take a look at. One of the primary roles of government is to provide for the public safety. If there isn't adequate personnel to maintain the public safety, that is something we will need to address through increasing the number of classes or retaining the troopers. So, there may be a need to look at salary and pay structure."