BIO & EXPERIENCE
“Morgan has the needed leadership, education and collaborative skills required to elevate current county law enforcement services to our residents. His involvement in local mental health and drug task forces demonstrates an awareness of key local issues.”
— Sarah Michael, Former Blaine County Commissioner
Morgan has lived in the Wood River Valley with his family for four years. In that short time, he has quickly become a well-respected and beloved community member in his role as the School Resource Officer at Wood River High School. His collaborative nature and dedication to his work earned him the award of Hailey Police Officer of the Year in 2023. As a nationally-recognized law enforcement trainer, Morgan will bring a wealth of experience to the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office.
Military Service
Morgan has nearly two decades of leadership and administrative experience. He served for 11 years in the infantry field of the United States Marine Corps. During this time, Morgan had the privilege of being an infantry squad leader planning and executing combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq. He was also an infantry unit leader charged with organizing, training, and equipping a 40-man sensor employment platoon conducting counter narcotics and human trafficking operations along the U.S./Mexico border with federal law enforcement agencies.
Post-Military Experience
After transitioning out of the Marine Corps, Morgan started a firearms training company in Southern California. Today, this company is one of the largest firearms education facilities in the region and operated by disabled veterans. During this time, Morgan also started a K-12 emergency management consulting firm working with schools across the U.S. to adopt evidence-based and trauma-informed practices.
Morgan is a nationally recognized law enforcement trainer and a ‘subject matter expert’ in active shooter response. He has presented at law enforcement and school safety conferences across the United States. He also writes articles for national publications and peer-reviewed journals including the American Police Beat Magazine for Law Enforcement, National Association of School Resource Officer School Safety Journal, and the International Law Enforcement Educators & Trainers Association Journal. Additionally, Morgan has consulted as an expert witness on a number of cases involving officer training standards and constitutional challenges to state laws in Idaho, California, and New York. This includes testifying as an expert witness for the New York Police Benevolent Association (24,000 sworn members) when they sued the state to receive nationally recommended active shooter training and equipment for their officers.
Education and School Resource Officer Leadership
Morgan holds a Masters of Science degree in Homeland Security & Emergency Management and is a Ph.D. candidate pursuing his doctorate in Emergency Management. Morgan is the President of the Idaho Association of School Resource Officers representing 200 School Resource Officers (SROs) across the state. In less than 8 months in this position, he raised more than $100,000 in grants, which deliver education and training to SROs statewide. Morgan was the first law enforcement leader in Idaho to publicly come out against HB 415, the “Guns in Schools” bill. He worked closely with members from Idaho House and Senate from both sides of the aisle to draft new legislation which maintained local control of school safety policies.
Current Role with the Hailey Police Department
For the past two years, Morgan has been employed by the Hailey Police Department assigned as a School Resource Officer with Blaine County School District. BCSD is the second largest employer in Blaine County with more than 500 employees serving over 3,000 students. In addition to his SRO duties, Morgan assumed a district wide emergency management role. Morgan led the effort to implement school safety system changes to include the adoption of the BCSD Standard Response Commands, the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guide, and the Standard Reunification Method. Due to his collaborative efforts with BCSD leadership, the Hailey Police Department was named the 2023 Model Agency of the Year by the National Association of School Resource Officers.
Morgan created the Hailey Police Department’s LGBTQ+ Community Liaison position. The purpose of this position is to increase trust and communication between the LGBTQ+ community and law enforcement agencies.
Morgan also raised more than $10,000 to establish the Todd D. Peck Endowed Law Enforcement Scholarship through CSI. This scholarship will be available to Blaine County graduates pursuing a career in law enforcement across multiple generations. Hailey Police Department named Morgan Ballis the 2023 Officer of the Year.
In just two years at the Hailey Police Department, Morgan has demonstrated his willingness and capacity to work closely with leaders in our community. One of his core personal ethos is “empathy above all else”. Morgan prides himself on being able to set aside his own personal beliefs and perceptions to objectively look for solutions.
Personal
Morgan and his family live in mid-valley with their two cats. His wife, Desiree, is a literacy coach at Ernest Hemingway STEAM School, and their two children are students in the Blaine County School District. In their spare time, Morgan and his family enjoy outdoor adventures such as skiing, kayaking, bike rides, hiking, and tractor rides.
Commitment to Safety, Collaboration, & Innovation
As Blaine County Sheriff, Morgan will bring this same energy and dedication to collaboration across the valley.
Blaine County deserves a Sheriff that is present and has the ability to build relationships in order to foster positive change.
As Blaine County Sheriff, Morgan will continue to collaborate with the residents and leaders of Blaine County to implement meaningful system changes. Having stepped into high level command positions in the past, he understands the balance of influencing growth while not disrupting systems that are working well.
Volunteer & Connect
Learn more about volunteer opportunities, how to get a yard sign, or connect with Morgan Ballis directly.
Email
morgan4bcsheriff@gmail.com
Phone
(208) 721-5516