It’s National Police Week this week and the Jefferson Police Chief comments on his current staff.

Police Chief Mark Clouse says even though the department is still short one officer from being fully staffed, he is thankful for the officers that have been putting in additional hours to keep the community safe and protected.

“I commend those guys. This is not an easy position to juggle family, and children’s sports, and all those different things to begin with. In law enforcement you miss out on a lot. You do your best to be at what you can be, but you do miss out on a lot. To throw the low numbers in there, maybe you wanted some vacation just to do this or do that, you’re staffing you have no one to do those replacements.” 

Clouse points out everyone pitches in to help give other officers time off to avoid bouts of burn-out.

“We do everything we can. I don’t deny and I haven’t denied much vacation. We just all throw in and help out, and that doesn’t not include me. I work duty shifts as needed when we can (and) I’ve worked a couple of overnight shifts. It takes all of us to keep the ball rolling.”   

The police department includes Chief Clouse, Captain Jason Kroeger, and Officers Mark Wolterman, Nick Johnson, Bohden Bigler, Zach Barden and Noah Luther. National Police Week is May 12th-18th.