JPD swears in 8 new officers

Recruitment and retention of Jackson Police officers is important to ensure the safety of the city’s streets and public areas.

Eight new officers were sworn in for the first time on June 3.

Cody Whitzman is one of those officers. His father is a law enforcement officer in another state, so he grew up with the business in his blood.

“I’m excited because this has been a long time coming for me,” Whitzman said. “I got hired in April and have gotten a sneak peek behind the scenes and seeing how this job is done here.”

Despite being from another state, Whitzman said coming to Jackson was an easy choice for him because it’s about halfway between his family and his wife’s family.

So getting to know the people in JPD and how they do things made the decision to begin his career in criminal justice in the Hub City became that much easier.

“I really like how they build community relationships,” Whitzman said. “They’re out there in the community not just policing, but building relationships, and that’s important.

“I was here for the fentanyl education event a couple weeks ago, and knowing they do things like that shows that there is a commitment not just to protect and keep the streets safe but to be a part of the community that is Jackson. And I want to be a part of something like that.”

The eight officers that were sworn in this week mean there have been 15 sworn in this year after seven joined the force in February.

But Chief Thom Corley said there have been a number of retirements and other officers exiting from the force, so they’re doing what they can to fill their roster.

“It’s definitely a tough job, and it’s a calling and a commitment like the military,” Corley said. “Just about every officer I’ve ever worked with approached this job like it was a calling because it really is if your goal is to serve and protect the community like we’re called to do.”

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news