This is National Police Week and it’s a time to highlight and give appreciation to the individuals that do the jobs that few people can and want to do.

Jefferson Police Chief Mark Clouse is grateful to have the other six officers within the Jefferson Police Department. 

“Yeah, I think we’re a pretty good team. You know, everyone doesn’t get along with everyone everyday, obviously we wouldn’t be humans. But all in all, I think we work very well as a cohesive unit.”  

Clouse points out after adding their newest officer, Trevor Hansen, given back to the department from his recent graduation from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, he is turning his attention to filling the eighth and final officer position.

“I’ve got a young man, from the Churdan area, he’s been offered a conditional hire and he’s now going through some of those processes that we have to go through. So, a few more things for him to get through and we’ll be excited to sit down and pick out a start date for him, and go through there, and we’ll be fully staffed.” 

The last time the police department was fully staffed was briefly in 2022 and before that, it was in 2017. Everyone is encouraged to thank a police officer this week or show them some appreciation for protecting and serving the communities that they are in.