New police officer could boost Mount Vernon’s drug enforcement efforts

MOUNT VERNON—Police Chief Robert Morgan will have to wait two more weeks to learn whether he can add another officer to the department.

Morgan had requested City Council member Tammy Woods, chair of the Employee and Community Relations Committee, to pass the legislation at Monday’s meeting.

However, council members gave the ordinance its second reading.

The ordinance increases the number of police officers to 22.

Morgan aims to add a second detective to the Drug Investigation Unit, which he started last fall.

“What you folks are doing for me tonight is giving me another officer to my bottom line. That’s not saying the new guy we hire is going to be the next drug detective,” Morgan told council.

“Somebody that’s already shown their skills, paid their dues, and is ready and eager to go work in this is going to move up to the detective division, which will create a vacuum in the patrol division. The new position will bring that back up to full staff.”

Morgan estimates the additional police officer will cost between $68,000 and $75,000, depending on experience. He included the position in his 2025 budget.

There will be no salary change for the officer transitioning to the drug detective position.

According to DIU Detective Sgt. Justin Willis, the value of a second DIU detective is less drug flow through the city, greater knowledge of who the players are, decreased property crimes, and a safer working environment for everyone.

“The addition of another dedicated drug detector would enhance the effectiveness to Mount Vernon’s drug enforcement efforts and facilitate the removal of illicit substances from the community while emphasizing recovery initiatives and proactive outreach efforts,” he told council.

The impact of another police officer on drug enforcement

Willis’ responsibilities include finding ways to slow and shut down drug activity.

He works with METRICH, a regional drug interdiction coalition, Drug Takeback Day, gathers intelligence, and responds to anonymous calls.

Willis also works with the road units and noted how busy they are with calls for service.

“Sometimes when we have a drug car that’s getting ready to move from a house or we have good information that a shipment’s coming into the city, that’s kind of hard to get that stopped,” Willis said.

“With the addition of a second drug detective, if we needed to, we could put them in a marked car to be able to make traffic stops and things of that nature.”

Willis works a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends.

“Drugs don’t always move Monday through Friday 8 to 4, so I try to bounce around, work some weekend stuff, a lot of midnight shift stuff. The city gets busy once the sun goes down and the street lights come on, so we try to do a lot of hours then,” he said.

“Having a second person would kind of give us another 40 hours a week minimum of coverage to see things, compile things.”

Willis said a second drug detective could help connect with community advocates to ensure that recovery receives attention as well as enforcement.

“It’s not just about going out there and going after the dealers. It’s about trying to build those bonds, those relationships to get them into recovery as well.”

Detective Sgt. Justin willis, Mount Vernon Police department

By the numbers

Willis said the department had four overdose deaths in 2023 and five in 2024.

There are none this year, but two are pending toxicology reports.

Twenty-four individuals survived overdoses in 2023 and 12 in 2024.

“Everybody has Narcan now, so we’re not seeing as many overdoses because they’re kind of able to take care of that,” Willis said.

“But there is still an opioid problem and things we’re dealing with here in the city, so by being proactive and trying to take the drugs off the streets, if we can save one of those lives or help get them to treatment and things like that.”

Willis cited a success story of a mother who stopped using drugs and regained custody of her children.

“She’s doing well. She’s working in the community, and it was just one traffic stop; that’s kind of what put that all in motion to get her started,” Willis said.

The Mount Vernon Police Department is part of the Knox County Drug Coalition, which includes the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Fredericktown Police Department, and Danville Police Department.

“We do drug interventions when we gather up all these different resources and go out and hit it hard for a night here and a night there and combine all our intel. The addition of an extra person will greatly enhance that,” Morgan said.

“My guys do a tremendous job with this, and I want to give them the tools and the personnel and the manpower to be able to do this.”