Chief Morningstar placed on administrative leave

Morton Police Chief Rodger Morningstar

On Thursday, May 11, 2023, Roger Morningstar was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Morningstar is the Chief of Police for Morton, Mossyrock and PeEll. Morningstar has had his share of controversy since taking over the police department in Morton, usually due to his political views and staff issues. Morningstar has had a long history of controversy pursuing various extreme right-wing causes including the Washington 3% Militia.

Roger Morningstar became the Chief of Police in Morton in 2015, after being with the Quinalt Tribal Police where he resigned due to allegations of sexual harassment and a stalking complaint. Morningstar was offered a polygraph with the Quinault Tribal Police to clear his name, but he chose to resign instead.
Even after the issues with the tribe, Morningstar was hired by Dan Mortensen, Mayor of Morton.

Controversy has surrounded Morningstar for the past few years. Mortensen had hired an officer who had an alleged sexual harassment case and a DUI when he was employed with the Lewis County Sheriff's Office, his name was Deputy Chris Fulton. Deputy Chris Fulton, then joined Morton Police Department where he continued with his same pattern of a DUI and sexual harassment. Fulton was placed on leave for his sexual harassment issues and was promoted within a week of returning from leave. Fulton, then received another DUI and he was removed from duty. Roger Morningstar promoted an individual who had known sexual harassment issues and let him loose on the citizens of Morton.

Morningstar was also known to encourage his friends to become reserve officers, both Brandon Svenson and Greg Peterson are friends of Morningstar and both went through the reserve training program and were employed by Morton Police Department. Svenson quit after receiving a speeding ticket and Greg Peterson recently resigned. Svenson and Morningstar serve together on the Lewis County Republican Party Executive Board.

Morningstar was also in the spotlight for erecting a miniature Trump Tower in his front yard during the 2020 election. Morningstar has been under scrutiny for his political views as well, even meeting with the Washington State 3% President on the City of Morton property, per a witness. Morningstar also flew the 3% flag as well. The 3% group is a part of a militia movement, which is illegal for any member of law enforcement to be a member of. The witness to this event has not filed a complaint with CJTC but they did reach out to the Lewis County News.

Roger Morningstar has had a very close relationship with Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza. Morningstar has been recommended by Sheriff Snaza to take over the police departments for Mossyrock and recently PeEll. During the re-election campaign for Sheriff Snaza, Morningstar was responsible for obtaining signatures to support Snaza by local police chiefs.

Roger Morningstar is under investigation for several issues, they range from sexual harassment of staff, harassment of employees, favoritism in the department, defamation of employees, failure to investigate, integrity issues, failure to report and a few more. CJTC completed their portion of the investigation and has fast tracked it to the Washington State Attorney General's Office where they are reviewing the information. CJTC does not refer files to the AG's office unless there is a criminal element to the investigation.

The Mayor for the City of Morton confirmed Morningstar is on paid administrative leave, the final outcome of the Chief of Police's employment should be determined within the next week. Roger Morningstar has also had personal financial issues while with the Morton Police Department. He has filed for bankruptcy 3 times, 2 have been discharged with the last one being in 2022.

In the meantime, Cole Cournyer is the Officer in Charge for the Morton, Mossyrock and PeEll Police Departments. The Cournyer family is a well known and respected East Lewis County family who have lived and served there for decades.