The Jefferson Police Department is now fully staffed once again.

It’s been over two years since the department has had all eight officers on its payroll and last week, the newest officer was officially hired. Janelle Brophy is a 2019 Greene County High School graduate, who attended Upper Iowa University on a track scholarship, while also double majoring in criminal justice and psychology. However, a hip injury ended her track career and she left college after one semester. Before joining the police department, Brophy worked part time as a paraprofessional at Greene County Middle School and full time at Jefferson Hy-Vee.

Officer Brophy shares why she wants to go into law enforcement as a career.

“I’ve always wanted to help people and just being in Jefferson basically, I’ve gotten to know everyone in the field due to some past issues. It just made me want to do it even more, just wanting to help people the way the police have helped me in the past.”   

The Jefferson City Council approved the hire at their meeting last Tuesday. Brophy’s salary is $49,450 and she started her new position this past Friday. Police Chief Mark Clouse anticipates Brophy to attend the full 16-week certification course with the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy this spring.