POINT PLEASANT — The overall goal of law enforcement is to ensure safety of all citizens.

And this is certainly the goal of Point Pleasant Police Chief Ernie Watterson.

Watterson, a Mason County native and resident of Apple Grove, has served as police chief for the past two years and two months. Prior to becoming chief, Watterson worked for the West Virginia Division of Highways in Charleston. He also served as sheriff for two terms from 1989-96. He said his desire to become involved in law enforcement had its roots in his childhood.

“At a young age I was fascinated by police work. I had friends and knew people involved,” he said. “I enjoy it and enjoy working with the people.”

Watterson described his job as being quite challenging. He attributed the challenge of working to keep drugs out of the county as the most interesting aspect of his job.

“Trying to find a way to combat the drug problem (is interesting). It’s so broad now compared to what it used to be,” he said, adding that the area is just like anywhere else when it comes to drug issues.

“With us being so close to bigger cities we are like a little hub,” Watterson said.

Although the job comes with many challenges, such as satisfying the public, Watterson emphasized that he enjoyed his job and described the police chief job itself as being his favorite thing.

“I enjoy coming to work. I have a great bunch of people to work with,” he said. “I enjoy going out when I can — patrolling and talking to people and trying to help people.”

In fact, Watterson said that some of his fondest memories are when officers have completed good investigations and made arrests in various crimes.

“I enjoy working with all the other departments here and in Ohio. We all work well together,” he added.

According to Watterson, to serve as police chief you do not need to attend the State Police Academy. However, Watterson went through the academy several years ago. He must attend in-service classes each year to maintain certifications.

One of Watterson’s major goals as police chief is to promote the Neighborhood Watch program, which he described as an asset to the area. As for his work schedule, Watterson typically works 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, there is often evening and weekend work involved.

“The chief job to me is 90 percent administrative and 10 percent being able to help the officers take calls, but I am blessed with a good bunch of guys to work with,” Watterson said.

He added that his administrative tasks include a variety of paper work, scheduling as well as handling calls.

For those seeking a career in law enforcement, Watterson said to be aware that the job can be very stressful.

“Your safety is the number one concern. It’s almost like you’re going to war every day because you never know when there is a situation that can get yourself in harm’s way,” he said.

Watterson also emphasized that officers are not meant to be seen as threats or scary.

“We are here to help people,” he said. “We’re out here to do our job like everyone else. We go to work every day like everyone else.”

In addition, Watterson said that many people have misconceptions of what law enforcement involves due to television shows.

“They think we are allowed to do certain things that we can’t. People don’t realize the criteria that we have to meet to arrest someone or obtain search warrants. People have rights and that is the bottom line — it doesn’t matter if it is the victim or suspect,” he added.

Watterson encouraged others to obey the laws.

“Try to be a good, law abiding citizen because once you are arrested, you always have a record that may haunt you in job searches,” he said.

This is certainly one piece of advice that Watterson promotes has he works hard to make the City of Point Pleasant a safer place to live.

(If you know someone who could be a candidate for an upcoming “Day in the Life” feature, e-mail his or her name and contact information to mdrnews@mydailyregister.com or call 304-675-1333.)

FAST FACTS

Name: Ernie Watterson

Age: 52

Hometown: Apple Grove

Family: wife, Vicki, two daughters, Rachel Lambert and Katie Zellmer, and three grandsons

Hobbies: farming, serving on the Mason County Fair Board of directors and spending time with grandchildren