WVU Police chief makes $122K

March 19--Of all police chiefs in Monongalia County, WVU Police Chief Bob Roberts makes the most money per year.

Roberts said he makes about $122,000 a year and manages the department's budget of $3 million. "A thing to realize is that I've been here for 29 years," he said. "The average tenure for a police chief is about five years. This is because most chiefs rise through the department by seniority. By the time they make chief, they only have a few years left until they can collect their pension."

As chief, Roberts said his position falls into what the department considers a classified position, meaning pay is salary-based, not hourly. The WVU Police employs 56 police officers, 13 communications officers, 30 student cadets and an additional 14 officers at WVU's two regional campuses.

Roberts said his pay is determined by the West Virginia Higher Education Commission. Health insurance and 401k retirement benefits are covered by the university, which matches up to 6 percent of what he puts in, Roberts said.

Star City Police Chief Vic Propst said his position is also salary-based and he earns about $46,550 a year. He oversees the six-member department's yearly budget of $440,000. The town council and mayor determine his salary.

Propst said his health insurance is covered by Star City. He draws from his pension earned during his days with the Monongalia County Sheriff 's Depart- ment and does not have a retirement fund with Star C i t y.

Propst has been chief in Star City for eight years. Prior to that, he worked for the sheriff 's department for 20 years and spent a year and a half with the WVU Police.

Granville Police Chief Craig Corkrean said he makes about $47,740 per year. He said his salary is included in the police budget, which he sends to the Granville Council for approval. The 2013-'14 budget for the 14-member Granville Police was about $1 million, Corkrean said.

He pays into a 401k retirement plan and health insurance is covered by the Town of Granville. He does not receive overtime pay. Corkrean has been with the Granville Police since 2007. Prior to that, he started his law enforcement career with the WVU Police, in 2005.

Morgantown Police Chief Ed Preston makes $91,000 a year. He oversees the department's $6.5 million budget and supervises its 74 officers and other employees. Preston said he pays into a 401k retirement plan and does not receive a pension through the Morgantown Civil Service Commission, nor does he receive overtime pay.

Debbie Smyth, the human resources director for the City of Morgantown, said the chief 's payment is approved by the city council. "It's all part of a pay plan," she said. "For example, City Manager Jeff Mikorski would work on a plan involving a 1.5 percent increase. He would present that plan to the council and they would vote on it." The chief 's health insurance is covered by the city.

Preston has been chief in Morgantown for three years. Before his tenure as chief, Preston served as deputy chief for the New Bern Police Department in North Carolina.

Westover Police Chief Ken Fike makes $18.86 an hour and works 40 hours per week, Westover City Clerk Sandie Weis said.

That totals just over $39,000 a year.

Fike's medical insurance is covered by the City of Westover with supplemental packages, including life insurance and dental coverage, available. He manages the 11-member Westover Police Department while overseeing its budget, which was just under $630,000 for the 2013-'14 fiscal year.

Weis said Fike's wage is determined by the city council and the mayor, and his current pay is the starting rate.

"Sometimes, you just have to prove yourself," she said.

He is also paid time and a half for any overtime. Fike's retirement is from the police pension fund for Westover. Fike was hired as the chief in December.

Fike has worked in law enforcement for 19 years, starting with the Terra Alta Police Department in Preston County. He then worked for WVU Police for 10 years, before working for Granville Police for seven years.

Mon County Sheriff Al Kisner said he makes about $44,880 on an annual salary. Kisner manages both the sheriff and tax departments, which collectively employ 104 people. He said he also receives a $15,000 supplement upon collecting 85 percent of owed taxes. The supplement is also taxed and he takes home about $8,000 to add onto his regular pay.

He oversees the departments' combined budget of about $6.35 million. "Something you have to keep in mind is that I actually manage six budgets," Kisner said. As sheriff, he manages the budgets for the tax office, law enforcement, civil processing, process and transport for prisoners, home confinement and court security.

Kisner said the county provides his health insurance and pays into a group retirement fund. His pay, as with all sheriffs, is mandated by the state. Kisner became sheriff in 2009, but has been a member of the department for 36 of his 38 years in law enforcement. Before that he worked for the Granville Police.

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