The Jefferson Police Department recently added a new probationary officer to its ranks, but continues to struggle to be fully staffed.

The Jefferson City Council approved hiring Zach Braden at its most recent meeting, leaving the department still two officers short of its eight-member staff. Police Chief Mark Clouse says the last time his department had all eight positions filled was for a brief time last year. He explains the larger issue that he and other law enforcement agencies are dealing with.

“I think overall law enforcement in general nationwide, there is a decline in applications, because of the public political issues with law enforcement and those things (and) since Ferguson, Missouri, not a lot of people want to do this job anymore. It used to be a very respectful job, a good way to help your community and work with your community, and it still is. Unfortunately, some communities, not Jefferson but some communities, have changed their attitudes and tones towards law enforcement, and nobody really wants to do the job anymore.”   

Clouse talks about not only finding good potential candidates to hire, but also the quality of the individual as well.

“I tend to have high expectations and high standards for hiring because I want somebody that’s a good fit for our community here in Jefferson, and somebody that I think is going to take care of our residents, and that’s not just anybody. So we do our best to find those people and them here and let them shine.”    

Clouse adds that he is concerned with being as short staffed as the department is that his current staff could become burned out as a result.