The Badge and Beyond with Clarion’s Police Officer Chris Jones
by Amanda Rink, Editor
Early in Chris Jones’s career, he issued a ticket for failure to stop. The driver narrowly missed hitting a small child. Soon after Officer Jones issued a ticket to the motorist, the mother of the child came out to his car to deliver him a thank you card. The Clarion Police Officer still has the thank you card.
Chris Jones grew up in University Heights, Iowa. University Heights is a city part of the Iowa City metro area. The population was a little over one thousand at the time of the last census. During his formative years, the police officers he saw practicing influenced Officer Jones.
“What impressed me was the officers I was exposed to, always wanted to help,” Jones shared with the Wright County Monitor, “It has been my dream to be a police officer.”
Jones started his law enforcement career in 2011 after gaining a Bachelor's Degree from Mount Mercy University in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement. “I was sponsored by University Heights Police Department and paid for law enforcement academy out of my own pocket,” Officer Jones stated. Before becoming employed with the Clarion PD, he served as a reserve officer at The University of Iowa, later gaining full-time employment.
Jones is a certified armor and firearms instructor. In keeping with his early professional influences, his goal is to be a helper. Jones is a member of the Wright County Sexual Assault Response Team and The Search and Rescue Team. His current goal is to become a Certified Tactical Officer. A Tactical Officer is a specialized unit of a police force. They are tasked with resolving high-risk or critical situations.
The most rewarding part of being a Police Officer, according to Officer Jones, is the look on someone’s face when you have truly been able to make a difference for them. Jones was put in a situation where he was able to make a difference in the life of someone who was facing a mental health crisis.
According to a 2014 study, 10 percent of police calls, nationwide, involve some sort of mental health crisis. The way an officer responds can determine the outcome of the individual's suffering. In a small town like Clarion, relationships between officers and the community they serve often become personal.
Officer Jones knows this all too well as he recounted a situation where he spent a lot of his time working with a citizen to pursue professional help for their mental health issues. The person is doing much better now, and Jones likes to think he played a role in that success.
When asked what the most challenging part of his job is Officer Jones answered honestly, “It’s the paperwork.” Jones was diagnosed with dyslexia and attention deficit disorder at a young age. Dyslexia is a condition of “neurodevelopmental origin that mainly affects the ease with which a person reads, writes, and spells.” Dyslexia affects 1 out of 10 people. “I’ve had a lot of support from my family to help me work towards my goals.”
Jones spends his time off the clock outdoors, and with family. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and crafting his own beef jerky. He takes an interest in firearms, learning the ins and outs. “I would like citizens to see me for who I am. Coming into work every day, I give it my all,” shared the officer with The Wright County Monitor.
Officer Jones keeps his foremost goal of helping in mind, on and off the clock. “I work hard at helping those that need it, whether there is a crime or a quality of life issue.” Jones shared a memory of purchasing a meal for a person who was down on their luck at our local Subway.
Language and cultural barriers are speed bumps the officer faces often. According to the latest census report, fifteen percent of Clarion is home to those who identify as Hispanic. To better serve the growing demographic, Officer Jones is learning the Spanish language. He seeks assistance from fellow Officer Hector Nino when needed.
Officer Chris Jones considers the advice, “Do what you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” It seems the officer has achieved the advice he gives. “When I go home at the end of my shift and I have tried to do the best job possible, I feel that is a successful day.”
