It’s National Police Week and it’s a time to highlight the officers that serve and protect the public everyday of the year.

The Jefferson Police Department is back up to full strength with eight officers led by Chief Mark Clouse. Chief Clouse says while they were in their hiring lull for about a few months towards the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019, his department stepped up to cover shifts and the new hires also did the same.

“I’m very, very honored to have the guys working for me that I do. They’re all very community oriented officers that we have right now. And a lot of sacrifices were made to get us through that process of running short. A lot of time away from children, spouses, and other families to make that work to make that happen.”

Clouse notes that between his department and the Greene County Sheriff’s office, there are two family members that work in law enforcement. Officer Andrew Chapman is the brother of Greene County Chief Deputy Nathaniel Chapman, or as Clouse says they are known as “Chappy” for Chief Deputy Chapman and “Chaps” for Officer Chapman. Clouse adds it’s beneficial to have them working together in the same building.

Captain Heath Enns has been training each of the new officers. He’s been with the department for ten years starting as a patrol officer, advancing in rank to sergeant in 2015 and then as captain in 2016. He talks about why he continues to serve the Jefferson community.

“The older I get the more appreciative I am of the smaller community and Jefferson as a whole. I recently here a few years ago got married and had a child, and I can’t imagine raising a family in any other community. So that’s a big reason I’m staying in this town and area and continuing my career through the police department in Jefferson.”

Take time to thank an officer this week during National Police Week.