It’s National Police Week and the Jefferson Police Chief highlights the officers within his department.

Police Chief Mark Clouse says even though his department is two officers short, he believes he has a strong group of five officers who are also part of the fabric of the community.

“Not only do they do their job throughout the week and keep us safe, and all of those things, but they’re a big part of our community. We’ve got some that help with school coaching, different events, like that, just a wide range of things that the officers do outside of their employment. So I’m really happy to have everyone that we have now.”     

Clouse feels his officers do a job of keeping positive relationships, especially with children, such as when they go to the different school buildings to have lunch. He talks about carrying that same positive attitude with each other inside the law enforcement center.

“There’s so many things that go into that (including) retention of officers, but that is a big part of it. If you enjoy the people you’re working for and you enjoy the community that you’re doing that in, obviously you’re less likely to be stolen away somewhere else. I think they all get along fine with each other right now and help each other out. We’re a pretty tight group out there.”     

Clouse adds Officer Mark Wolterman just became a certified instructor for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, which will start in the Greene County School District next year.