By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Improving communication with all factions of the community is the first goal of Marion’s new police chief.

Lifelong Marion resident Clinton Jeffrey, 31, wants to develop good communication with the public, city hall, the press, and departmental officers.

“It builds relationships,” Jeffrey said.

Jeffrey said he wanted to be in law enforcement from his youth.

“It’s all I ever wanted to do, all through high school and before,” Jeffrey said. “I did ride-alongs with the sheriff when I was 14.”

Lee Becker was sheriff in those days.

After graduating Marion High School in 2006, Jeffrey worked for his father’s filling station for a time.

He was hired by the sheriff’s office as a jailer in 2008, then by Marion Police Department in 2009.

Jeffrey also wants to increase officer longevity with the department.

Jeffrey hopes the public feels confident about coming to the department with concerns.

“Don’t be scared to come to us, even if we’ve had problems before,” Jeffrey said. “Even if we’ve arrested you for something, we don’t hold that against you. We don‘t refuse to believe you. We try to help you in any way we can.”

Jeffrey is married to Tiffany Jeffrey and has two children, Liam, 5, and Jett, 1.