West Virginia University
08/26/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/25/2024 22:10
WVU Police officer works to show positive side of policing
WVU Police Department Officer Brandon Moser said he approaches each shift hoping to show everyone he interacts with a more friendly side of policing. (WVU Photo/Matt Sunday)
Officer Brandon Moser is fairly new to the West Virginia University Police Department, but not the uniform or the good that he can do in the community behind his badge.
Moser grew up in Virginia and moved to Florida with his wife, Brianna. While trying out life in the Sunshine State, the couple missed the mountains, their families and all the things that come with living in the region.
Moser loves to fish, hunt and spend as much time outdoors as possible. These days, he does that with his 3-year-old son, Levi, in tow.
The family left Florida and landed in Morgantown in February 2024. Moser already knew where he hoped to work.
"I've worked in a lot of departments and I've seen a lot of things," Moser said. "I knew coming here that I was looking for more of a community-oriented department and I knew from experience that a university department would hit the nail on the head for me."
He joined the force not long after their arrival, bringing with him seven years of policing experience, and got to know the lay of the land during the quiet summer months. He was looking forward to the fall semester.
Brandon Moser, officer, WVU Police Department (WVU Photo/Matt Sunday)
"Everyone keeps hyping up these football games, so I'm really excited to see what those are like. All the sporting events coming up will be a lot of fun," he said. "I just love to be out there and engaging with people so that's what I'm most excited for."
Community engagement is a fundamental goal of the WVU Police Department, which has focused more in recent years on encouraging safe and positive interactions among law enforcement and all members of the campus community through extensive officer training.
University Police Chief Sherry St. Clair has emphasized a commitment to continuing education efforts that focus on community engagement and working to ensure UPD officers have the necessary expertise and skills to support the University well into the future.
Moser said his goal heading to work each day is to show people a more friendly side of policing and be an example for his son who wants to be a police officer when he grows up.
"A lot of my interactions are the first time that people deal with the police," he said. "To be able to make them feel comfortable and leave them with a different impression than what they might be expecting is the absolute most important thing to me. We are called to protect and to serve, and I can't wait to talk to the thousands of people that I'll encounter in the coming months and show them the best side of policing possible."
To learn more about UPD, visit the website. Download the LiveSafe app and turn on push notifications for direct and discreet two-way communication with police. To receive alerts about emergencies and incidents on or near campus, register for the WVU Alert system.
-WVU-
hlt/8/26/24
MEDIA CONTACT: Shauna Johnson
Director of News Communications
WVU University Relations
304-293-8302; [email protected]