Jack Chambers Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Updates One Year Later On State Police Investigation, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, it has been a year since allegations of illicit recordings of cadets and other women at the West Virginia State Police barracks launched federal and state investigations into the law enforcement department. We speak with the superintendent of state police for an update.

On this West Virginia Morning, it has been a year since allegations of illicit recordings of cadets and other women at the West Virginia State Police barracks launched federal and state investigations into the law enforcement department.

In the aftermath, Col. J.C. Chambers was named superintendent of the state police. He spoke with Chris Schulz to provide some updates on the investigations, as well as to discuss reforms he has implemented during his tenure.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

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Chris Schulz produced this episode.

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West Virginia State Police Sees Second Lawsuit Notice From Victims Of Alleged Hidden Camera

Another notice to sue the West Virginia State Police has been filed over a camera hidden in the State Police Academy’s women’s locker room.

The notice comes from Winfield-based attorney David Moye. He intends to sue the agency on behalf of five female plaintiffs who were training at the academy, concerned over possible exposure during the time the recording device was placed.

The letter gives the state government the mandatory 30 days notice of intent to file a lawsuit.

Both Moye’s law firm and the West Virginia State Police were unable to comment directly on the notice, but both groups confirmed with West Virginia Public Broadcasting that the notice itself had been filed.

This is the second such notice for intent. Wheeling attorney Teresa Toriseva sent a similar letter on behalf of three other women late last March. Toriseva’s list has grown to at least 20 clients.

Both notices come after a state Department of Homeland Security investigation revealed an unnamed senior state trooper placed the camera sometime before March 2016. The camera wasn’t discovered until after the trooper’s death. The investigation also found that other troopers destroyed evidence in the form of a thumb drive containing video from the camera.

Interim State Police Superintendent Jack Chambers has said he will determine who may have been victimized. A letter from Chambers sent to West Virginia Public Broadcasting last month said all victims identified will be offered counseling and therapy services, and that the Department of Homeland Security is in the process of hiring an independent ombudsman with experience in counseling.

“We are working with Marshall University Health,” Maj. Jim Mitchell, chief of staff services for the state police, said. “We are currently still in negotiations with them to be able to provide any kind of professional assistance, aid or help to any potential victims.”

Most recently, during an interim legislative meeting Monday, Chambers told the Joint Standing Committee on Finance that an internal investigation is moving toward resolution.

Toriseva Law is an underwriter of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

State Police Superintendent Tells Lawmakers Investigations, Changes Continue

Col. Chambers said investigations into hidden cameras, theft, rape, destruction of evidence and invasions of privacy are moving toward resolution.

Speaking to the Joint Standing Committee on Finance Monday, Interim State Police Superintendent Col. Jack Chambers said since he returned to the department after an earlier 26-year stint with the West Virginia State Police, he’s worked diligently to get numerous issues, including financial, clarified and cleaned up.

“I’m not gonna be able to do it overnight,” Chambers said. “I’m working with the help of the department. There are a lot of good people down there. Got a few we probably don’t need, but for the most part, we have a great department.”

He said investigations into hidden cameras, theft, rape, destruction of evidence and invasions of privacy are moving toward resolution.

Chambers told Finance Committee members that there were some questions on the sign off of time sheets and other clerical issues. He said after five days on the job he sent a directive out.

“There’s monitoring and steps of verification now to check off everybody’s timesheet,” Chambers said. “The West Virginia State Police is moving towards (using the automated payroll system) Kronos.”

Committee member Sen. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, asked Chambers about the investigation into possible misuse of specified vehicle purchase and maintenance funds.

Chambers said the WVSP is fully complying with information requests from the Auditor’s Office. He said before his arrival, there may have been vehicle funds rerouted outside guidelines.

“Probably we used some of this money that was allowed for use and it wasn’t for vehicles, but for something else, because another fund was short,” Chambers said. “Do I think you’d have a bunch of money that people were going on vacations and things like that? Absolutely not.”

He pledged to follow all stipulations, policies, and guidelines for the tenure of his leadership.

“If we were outside those guidelines, then shame on us,” Chambers said. “I promise, if I’m there one year, two years, or six years or 12 years, I’m not gonna go outside the guidelines. I’ll just do without. It’s as simple as that.”