Charleston, WV Police Department

06/07/2026

NEW TEST DATE ANNOUNCED

The Charleston Police Department is hiring!

First year officers are earning between $57,704 and $68,942, plus a $1,040 base pay increase will be effective on July 1, 2026.

WV certified officers can qualify for a tiered hiring bonus of $15,000.

Overtime is built into a consistent 12-hour shift schedule of three shifts one week, four shifts the next, and every other weekend off.

Benefits are built to support you and your family. The city offers affordable health insurance, contributes up to $4,450 per year toward a health savings card, and maintains an 80/20 premium split.

There’s also real opportunity to grow. From SWAT, K-9, CID, CSI, Strategic Response, Hybrid, and the Metro Drug Unit, to specialized roles like Drone Operator, Marine Unit, Honor Guard, CSI Reserve, and Fi****ms Instructor, this is a department where you can build a career, not just hold a position.

Additional incentives include bonus pay for specialized assignments such as dive team or range instructors, FTO bonus pay, a growing take-home car program, and steady overtime opportunities through highway safety, saturation patrols, and special events.

If you’re ready to take the next step, testing is coming up:
July 25, 2026 at 0900
📍 Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center

Scan the QR code or click the link and apply today.

https://charlestonwvpolice.org/employment.html

Questions? Message this page.

06/06/2026

This morning, Cpl. J. Harper and Cpl. M. Hill helped West Virginia Pedal Pals host a free bicycle safety class at Safety City.

All participants reviewed the basics of how to safely and legally operate a bicycle on our roads before taking a ride around North Charleston with our Officers to practice what they learned.

Thank you to Sam Nygaard and West Virginia Pedal Pals for allowing us to help out today!

06/02/2026

Final call for applications for this year's Junior Police Academy!

We still have a couple spots left!

This event will be held at Capital High School July 13th-17th, 8AM-4PM, snacks and lunch are provided.

Do you have a child age 11-14 with an interest in law enforcement or the criminal justice system?

If so, scan the QR code below for an application or email Cpl. Hill at [email protected].

Have your child fill out the application and return it to us by June 5th, 2026.

Questions? Message this page.

05/21/2026

There's still time to apply! Testing is next Saturday!

The Charleston Police Department is hiring!

First year officers are earning between $57,704 and $68,942, plus a $1,040 base pay increase will be effective on July 1, 2026. WV certified officers can qualify for a tiered hiring bonus of $15,000.

Overtime is built into a consistent 12-hour shift schedule of three shifts one week, four shift the next, and every other weekend off.

Benefits are built to support you and your family. The city offers affordable health insurance, contributes up to $4,450 per year toward a health savings card, and maintains an 80/20 premium split.

There’s also real opportunity to grow. From SWAT, K-9, CID, CSI, Strategic Response, Hybrid, and the Metro Drug Unit, to specialized roles like Drone Operator, Marine Unit, Honor Guard, and Fi****ms Instructor, this is a department where you can build a career, not just hold a position.

Additional incentives include bonus pay for specialized assignments such as dive team or range instructors, FTO bonus pay, a growing take-home car program, and steady overtime opportunities through highway safety, saturation patrols, and special events.

If you’re ready to take the next step, testing is coming up:
May 30, 2026 at 0900
📍 Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center
Scan the QR code or click the link and apply today.
https://charlestonwvpolice.org/employment.html

Questions? Message this page.

05/20/2026

Cranes, Trains, and Automobiles 🏗️ 🚂 🚗

Heads up, the Greenbrier Street area South of the Interstate will be a mess through Friday.

The Capitol is dropping a train into the Culture Center grounds with a crane so check out the details below, and plan accordingly.

🚧 Traffic Notice – Greenbrier Street Area 🚧

Beginning Wednesday, May 20 at 9 AM, Greenbrier Street will experience temporary closures, and nearby streets will see traffic impacts as a steam locomotive is moved into place at the Culture Center using heavy crane equipment.

📍 What to expect:
• Greenbrier Street will be closed from Kanawha Blvd. to Washington Street for portions of each day through Friday
• Traffic on Kanawha Blvd. will continue as normal, but vehicles will not be permitted to turn onto Greenbrier Street
• Southbound traffic on Greenbrier will still be able to access the Capitol Complex and Washington Street
• Virginia Street East (between Kanawha Blvd. and Elizabeth Street) must exit via Elizabeth Street
• Quarrier Street and Franklin Avenue will remain accessible via Elizabeth Street

🚦 Key intersections will be staffed to assist motorists, and message boards/signage will direct drivers to alternate routes.

Once equipment is moved into place each day, roads are expected to reopen to normal traffic patterns.

Please plan ahead, consider alternate routes, and allow extra travel time.

05/18/2026

Last week, members of our Honor Guard traveled to Washington D.C. for National Police Week to represent the Charleston Police Department, and pay respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

05/14/2026

Today, several of our officers and our one-in-a-million Highway Safety Coordinator were presented with top awards at the annual WV Governor’s Highway Safety Program Luncheon.

Top Speed Enforcement
1st – Lt. Peter Kapeluck
4th – Cpl. Ryan Marks
6th – Cpl. Adam Douglas

Top Seatbelt Enforcement
1st – Cpl. Jerome Owens
5th – Cpl. Ryan Marks

Top Target Red Enforcement Officer
1st – Cpl. Brent Foster
4th – Cpl. Ryan Marks

Top Productive Enforcement
3rd – Cpl. Jerome Owens
4th – Lt. Peter Kapeluck
5th – Cpl. Ryan Marks

Top Distracted Driving Enforcement
1st – Lt. Peter Kapeluck
2nd – Cpl. Brent Foster
3rd – Cpl. Ryan Marks

Top Speed Enforcement Agency
1st Place – Charleston PD

Top Target Red Enforcement Agency
1st Place – Charleston PD

Top DUI Enforcement Agency
4th Place – Charleston PD

Top Productive Enforcement Agency
2nd Place – Charleston PD

Top Distracted Driving Enforcement Agency
1st Place – Charleston PD

Top Seat Belt Enforcement Agency
1st Place – Charleston PD

Child Passenger Safety Technician of the Year
Roberta Meadows

Traffic Safety Officer of the Year
Cpl. Ryan Marks

On behalf of the Chief's Office, congratulations to all who were recognized and awarded for your hard work.

Thank you for your excellent representation of Charleston PD and we applaud your dedication and efforts to keep our roads and highways safe. We look forward to your work in the future.

05/14/2026

Public Service Announcement

The Charleston Police Department has recently received reports of teenagers carrying toy guns, specifically “splat” guns that shoot water beads. While these items are marketed as toys, allowing children to carry them in public or fire them at strangers creates a potentially dangerous situation where a tragedy could occur.

Our School Resource Officer at West Side Middle School will be addressing this issue with students who attend there to spread awareness, and we encourage parents and other adults to speak with the teenagers in their sphere of influence about making safe and responsible decisions.

05/09/2026

Last night, we gathered for our annual Jerry Alan Jones Officer of the Year Banquet to recognize the outstanding men and women who represent our department with professionalism, dedication, and service to our community each and every day.

Please join us in congratulating Cpl. Jerome Owens on being selected as the 2025 Officer of the Year. Cpl. Owens was nominated by the Community Policing Bureau, where he serves as a Crash Investigator/Accident Reconstructionist in the Traffic Division. He is also a dedicated crossing guard at Overbrook Elementary every morning and afternoon. His hard work and commitment to excellence make him truly deserving of this recognition.

We would also like to congratulate this year’s other Officer of the Year nominees:

• A Shift – Ptlm. Kalob Pomeroy
• B Shift – Ptlm. Maven Mullins
• C Shift – Ptlm. Ivan Jackson
• D Shift – Ptlm. Chase Napier
• Investigative Services – Det. Daniel Eisenberg

Additionally, congratulations to Kerri High for being selected as our 2025 Civilian of the Year for her outstanding work in the Records Division. We also recognize fellow nominees Humane Officer Santana Elmore and Lori Lipscomb from MDENT for their dedication and contributions.

Finally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Charleston Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association for hosting this event each year. Their continued support gives us the opportunity to step away for an evening and recognize the people who work tirelessly to make our department and community better.

05/06/2026

Press Release

For Immediate Release:
May 6, 2026

Contact Information:
Tony Hazelett
Deputy Chief of Police
Charleston Police Department
Office: (304) 348-8000 ext. 225
[email protected]

On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at approximately 6:50 a.m., officers with the Charleston Police
Department responded to the 3700 block of MacCorkle Avenue following reports of a male
suspect carrying a shotgun and firing into buildings.

Upon arrival, officers located two businesses that had sustained damage consistent with shotgun blasts. No injuries have been reported at this time.

During the investigation, officers determined that the suspect entered a 7-Eleven located at 3815 MacCorkle Avenue, where he allegedly stole several items while brandishing the shotgun.

Through the use of surveillance footage obtained from multiple businesses in the area,
investigators were able to identify a suspect.

Officers located and apprehended Michael Kent Mann, 35 years of age, of Charleston, at a
residence in the 3500 block of Staunton Avenue.

Mann has been charged with Wanton
Endangerment and 1st Degree Robbery.

He is presumed innocent until such time he is convicted in a court of law.

This investigation remains active and ongoing.

Anyone with additional information is
encouraged to contact the Charleston Police Department at 304-348-6480.