The Clarion Police Department has seen some good officers come and go recently. They have been in the hiring process for quite a while, but as of a few weeks ago, they are pleased to be fully staffed and have their full seven officer force. Two new officers rounded out their numbers, coming on in the last couple of months: Officers Jeremy Stenda and Chris Jones.
Jeremy Stenda
Stenda has been in action on the Clarion Police Department for the last month and a half. He explained, though he was born in West Virginia, he grew up in Clinton, IA. After high school, Stenda attended Ashford University where he pursued Social Sciences and education.
Interestingly, Stenda says that law enforcement really was not something he had planned on pursuing. As a sports fanatic, he had his eye on teaching with a goal of dedicating much of his time to coaching. While in college however, Stenda worked as a reserve officer for the DeWitt Police Department. “I discovered I really like that position so I kind of changed paths when I was close to being done with college,” he said.
Stenda completed his law enforcement training by attending 14 weeks at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, which made him a certified officer. He has now been a police officer for close to nine years. Most recently, Stenda spent time with the Dysart Police Department, a small town south of Waterloo.
When he saw an opening on the Clarion Police Department, Stenda says he was excited for the opportunity it offered. “Dysart was a small three-man department. I was looking for something a little bigger,” he explains. So Stenda visited with Clarion Police Chief Steve Terhark and even made a few visits to town. “Everyone was really great, and I thought it would be a good fit for me.”
A little over a month later, Stenda is settling in nicely. He enjoys working the night shift as it allows him the chance to interact with the public and eventually be able to have a presence at sporting events, which he enjoys. He will also be doing routine duties like traffic stops and patrolling. He has some background in grant writing as well and hopes to utilize that to the benefit of the department.
Stenda has some impressive goals for his time in Clarion. He hopes to beef up the department’s social media presence as a way to share the good things that law enforcement is bringing to the community. “I want to share the fun, day-to-day stuff that we do out in the community, whether that is shooting hoops with kids in the park or visiting schools.” Stenda says that community policing is a big objective of his. “I want to be a liaison for people. Good relationships with law enforcement are a deterrent to crime.”
He admits that this is a challenging time for law enforcement, but he says that working together with the public, engaging people of all backgrounds, cultures and races is something he will tirelessly pursue. “We need to build bridges and improve that image of policing that has suffered recently.”
When he is not on the job, Stenda says he enjoys working out and runs the occasional marathon. He also is an unapologetic Pittsburgh Steelers fan and enjoys arguing with his fellow officers about football.
Chris Jones
Another new officer is also out and about in Clarion recently. Officer Chris Jones has been working for the Clarion PD for only a few weeks, but likes what he sees.
Jones is originally from Iowa City and grew up having close contact with the University Heights Police Department in that area. He smiles when he says that all his experience with that PD was positive. He notes that he was always impressed with that department’s community relations and good rapport with the public. This instilled in him a desire to pursue law enforcement.
After high school, Jones attended Kirkwood for an associate degree and then Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids for his bachelors. At both places, he completed degrees in criminal justice. During this time, he also worked as a reserve officer and then part-time for the University Heights Police Department. He eventually went through the law enforcement academy and has been certified for the last five years with nine years total experience under his belt.
Jones’ path to Clarion is similar to that of Stenda. In fact, it even involves Stenda. Jones most recently was working for the Jesup Police Department, a small town east of Waterloo. He noted that they have a four-man department there so he was also interested in moving up to something a little bigger. Jones explained that Stenda, a friend and former colleague from a previous department, reached out to him and told him about the Clarion opening. He applied and the rest is history. So far, Jones says, “I love it here. My co-workers are amazing, and I have enjoyed my interactions with the public.”
Jones too has goals for his time in Clarion. Like Stenda, he is interested in the community policing aspect of the job. “I like to get out there with the public. I want people to be able to come up and talk to me.” He agrees that relationships with the public are key. “If people trust you, they can bring you their problems and not be afraid of the police,” Jones adds.
Beyond his job, Jones hopes to be involved in the community in other ways as well. He hopes to help with coaching eventually and would like to continue his involvement with the boy scouts. He also says he loves the outdoors and plans to spend time hunting and fishing.
Jones says his wife Renee is still working her way through college but will likely be moving to the area soon.
For his part, Chief Terhark is very optimistic about what he has seen from both his new officers. “The first few weeks have been great,” he says. “They both have a willingness to learn and everyone has been getting along great.”
Terhark adds that the two men knowing each other before they came to Clarion is another perk. “It’s nice to have them be able to work together. We know everyone takes a big chance when taking a new job, so we really appreciate them both.”
Both Stenda and Jones invite the public to introduce themselves if they are seen out and about. Though they acknowledge handshakes might have to wait awhile, they are excited to get to know Clarion and its residents.
