Protecting children is top priority for new police chief
Staff reporter
Marion Police Chief Josh Whitwell wants to keep the Marion community safe for his family and others.
"Safety is my number one priority," the 27-year-old chief said, "particularly of children."
The father of three young sons has been on the job since July 18, and wants Marion to continue to be a safe environment for his and other children.
Changes implemented thus far have been moving his office from the city building to the police department.
"I like having my office located with my department," Whitwell said. "It's better for people when they come to talk with me. I want them to be comfortable."
The police department environment is more conducive for police business.
Whitwell worked for the Marion Police Department from 2003-05. He was with Marion County Sheriff's Department for nearly three years before being appointed to this top job.
"It's very important for me to have the public's trust," Whitwell said. He wants constituents to be assured that confidential matters will remain confidential and information given to him will be treated appropriately.
Space is at a premium at the current police department building on North Fifth Street. Those space limitations were one reason former police chief Michel Soyez was located in the city building.
Another issue, Whitwell said, was the smell of diesel fuel in the police office because Marion Fire Department vehicles are stored next door.
Options are being considered by Marion City Council.
Since Whitwell has been chief, four police officers are working 12-hour shifts to provide 24-hour protection for the community. This system also gives officers more family time.
"It's important for the officers to spend time with their families on the weekends," Whitwell said. With this rotation, officers have off every other weekend.
Whitwell would like to implement more programs regarding bicycle safety, and interact with children so there isn't a fear of police officers.
Traffic enforcement also is an important responsibility that Whitwell does not take lightly.
He used the example of a driver going down the hill on Main Street at 30 mph. That driver probably will be stopped by authorities and given a warning because of the potential of pedestrians, particularly children, crossing the street by Central Park. If a driver is stopped several times for infractions, he/she can expect to get a ticket.
"I realize that residents are working class people and tickets can get expensive for them if written all of the time," Whitwell said. However, it is the individual's decision to continue to break the law, particularly after receiving warnings.
"We (officers) live in this community, too, and want it to be safe," Whitwell said.
Crime prevention is another important aspect which means more patrolling and interaction with the public, particularly businesses.
"Residents and business owners have an investment in this community and it's important for them to know we're doing the best we can to protect it," Whitwell said.
The department also will continue to work with other law enforcement agencies.
As a sheriff's deputy, Whitwell was a member of the sheriff's department methamphetamine lab team. He will continue his involvement with that program.
Originally from Oklahoma, Whitwell, his parents, and brothers moved to Marion County from Wichita when Josh was 14 years old.
He graduated from Marion High School in 1998, married his high school sweetheart, Clark Wildin, and lives in Marion. The couple has three sons — Jordan, 7, Jacob, 5, and Jerrid, 1.
Because of the opportunity to be police chief, he and his family are able to stay in Marion.
"We love it here. We don't want to leave," Whitwell said. "I've been other places and don't want to be anywhere else but Marion."
