Joyce nominates Board as next Parkersburg Police chief
Trending
PARKERSBURG -- Mayor Tom Joyce has nominated a nearly 20-year veteran of the Parkersburg Police Department to be its next chief.
Parkersburg City Council will be asked to confirm Capt. Matthew Board as police chief when it meets at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building.
Joyce said Board, who started with the department in 2002, was one of three "well-qualified" finalists "of high character" he considered for the position.
"He's very thoughtful. He's very intelligent," Joyce said. "His passion for police work and public service, and his dedication to the Parkersburg Police Department is without parallel."
Board attained the rank of sergeant in 2008, lieutenant in 2014 and was promoted to captain last year, Joyce said. He is serving as the Uniform Division commander and is a member of both the Crash Investigation Team and Crisis Negotiaion Team.
Joyce noted Board's family history with the department -- his father Gerald Board served for 32 years, including as chief, and his sister Leslie worked for the department more than 20 years.
"I am honored to be afforded the opportunity to serve as the chief of police for the City of Parkersburg," Board said in a press release. "The Police Department has always been a part of my life and is very special to both myself and my family. We have a first-class agency, which was achieved through decades of dedicated service from countless officers and numerous chiefs.
"I am excited to build upon the previous successes and continue to move the department and the community forward," he said. "I will focus my efforts on officer and community safety, with a priority on improving every aspect of our mission."
Board was the recipient of the 2021 Charles L. Plum Award for the Police Officer of the Year, as voted on by the Fraternal Order of Police Blennerhassett Lodge 79, during last year's Police Week ceremony. Lodge President Beniah Depue said the primary reason for the award was Board's successful efforts to peacefully resolve a 2020 standoff with an armed man at the Vienna Fire Department.
If approved by council Tuesday, Board would succeed Joe Martin, the city's longest serving chief, who retired in December. Interim Chief Scott Elliott has been leading the department since then, but he plans to retire this month.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.