West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey visited Gihon Elementary School in Parkersburg on Tuesday to mark the ceremonial signing of House Bill 2802, a new law designed to improve school safety and enhance community trust in law enforcement.
The bill allows law enforcement officers to complete part of their annual training hours by spending time in public schools, where they can build relationships with students and staff while also helping to secure school grounds.
“This is a great day to celebrate West Virginia’s law enforcement,” Morrisey said. “We have some of the best officers in the country. They’re heroes, and under my administration, we’re going to support them every step of the way.”
The event brought together around 16 uniformed officers from agencies including the Parkersburg Police Department, the Wood County and Jackson County Sheriff’s Departments, and the West Virginia State Police. Several state and local officials also attended, including Delegate Jonathan Pinson, R-Mason; State Senator Mike Azinger, R-Wood; and Wood County Clerk Joe Gonzales.
The new law recognizes the value of increased police presence in schools, not just as a deterrent to potential threats but also as a proactive approach to community engagement. Officers can now count time spent in schools as part of their required 16 hours of annual training, provided their activities focus on school safety. This includes activities like familiarizing themselves with the school’s layout, identifying potential security risks, and interacting positively with students and faculty.
Morrisey emphasized that no parent should have to worry about their child’s safety while at school, and that this bill reflects a commitment to both community policing and practical safety enhancements.
“We want to encourage and incentivize officers to be present in schools—not just for safety, but to build trust and form relationships,” he said. “This is part of a larger effort to support safer, more connected communities.”
Delegate Pinson, one of the bill’s main sponsors and a former police officer himself, said the initiative reflects the heart of community policing—the idea that law enforcement is most effective when officers know the communities they serve.
“This is community policing at its core,” Pinson said. “When officers are regularly in schools, they know the layout, the people, and the environment. That knowledge could be crucial in responding quickly and effectively during an emergency.”
Pinson explained that having trained officers already familiar with a school’s structure can significantly reduce response time during critical incidents, potentially saving lives.
The governor also mentioned other complementary efforts being considered by lawmakers, such as banning cellphone use in classrooms and creating school mapping projects to help officers quickly navigate buildings in emergency situations.
“Nothing is more valuable than our kids,” Morrisey said. “This law helps ensure that our children are learning in a place where they are protected by people they know and trust.”
The bill also sends a strong message about support for law enforcement, especially in contrast to past calls to “defund the police.” Morrisey was clear that his administration is focused on empowering officers to better serve and protect.
“These men and women do incredible work,” Morrisey said. “They deserve our full support—and this bill is one way we’re showing that.”
With House Bill 2802 now in place, schools across West Virginia can expect to see more uniformed officers in their hallways—not just watching over students but engaging with them, building trust, and making a positive impact in their daily lives.
