Community meets Monroe Police chief finalist

A group of residents had a chance Wednesday to shake hands with the sole candidate for the city's next police chief at the Monroe Boys and Girls Club.

Jeffrey Jolley currently serves in the same capacity in Gladstone, Oregon. He is a veteran, and worked his way up the ranks as a police officer.

Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas said little else at Tuesday's city council meeting about Jolley. He did emphasize his administrative and technical skills, and said he was well vetted. The community still needs to weigh in, he said.

“I feel confident that this is an individual that would work well for our community, but again, I want everybody to go in with an open mind. So, I am not going to say more,” he said.

About a dozen people applied to fill former Police Chief Tim Quenzer's shoes. He stepped down in May, after 16 years with the department. Administrative director Debbie Willis said at the time that it is uncommon for a chief to stay in one community for so long.

The city started looking for his replacement in March. They hired Issaquah-based Prothman Co., a recruiting firm that was also used in the search for city administrator Deborah Knight, who signed on halfway through last year.

Interim director of public safety Larry Dickerson has served as chief since Quenzer’s departure.

Jolley fielded questions from Prothman senior consultant Mary Swenson and the public during Wednesday's meet-and-greet. Topics included homelessness, volunteerism and policy decisions.

Staff from the Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office asked about his stance on domestic violence advocates. Jolley said he has experience working with victims, and said he would be open to creating a position for that purpose.

Swenson asked about his take on homelessness. She said many jurisdictions are struggling with how to address the booming statistics.

“Working with and engaging the problem is something that has to be done,” he said. “You cannot just stand aside and hope that it gets solved and another agency comes in — it depends on the police department and the community itself.”

Jolley talked about the importance of building trust with the public. There has to be an understanding between a police department and the people it serves for progress to take place. One way he plans to do that, and has historically, he said, is to give back.  

“A lot of times people don't have interactions with police officers unless it's in a negative light,” Jolley said.

In Gladstone, Jolley has volunteered during river cleanups, helped feed seniors and participated in local events. He said he also expects and encourages that same involvement from his staff. Take the Next Step community outreach coordinator Sarah Lunstrum said Monroe Police already does a good job connecting with and supporting the community.

“I think it helps build relationships and builds trust,” she said.

The social services organization, located at 202 Sams St., works with an array of disadvantaged populations, including the homeless, and Hispanic and low-income families. She asked specifically what Jolley's position would be on addressing the presence of undocumented workers.

Oregon is one of seven sanctuary states in the nation. Washington is not on the list. Jolley said he doesn't believe in targeting groups of people.

In reference to the homeless, he said it is important to offer services. While he believes a level of support from local police is crucial, he also knows their primary function is to keep the community safe, so if someone is breaking the law, they will be held accountable, despite their situation.

Jolley said he was born and raised in Los Angeles, then spent time in Utah, where he met his wife. She has most recently worked as a Department of Corrections deputy, and was with him Wednesday. He said he will be out doing foot patrols, and meeting with organizations and community leaders, especially as his integrates into the community.

“He's not one that just sits in the office,” she said. “He's out there with them (his staff).”

Jolley spent Thursday being interviewed by multiple panels comprised of city staff and community members. The city council will have to approve the hire, if Thomas decides to appoint him to the position.

A conditional offer would be made, pending the requisite background checks. The mayor said he hopes to do so by mid-September. Ideally, the next police chief would start work by mid-October or mid-November, he said.

Thomas said he had narrowed down the final candidates to three. One pulled out, and another accepted an offer elsewhere the week before the meet-and-greet.

“The market is very hot right now,” Swenson said, so that isn't uncommon.

Jolley said he felt lucky to even be considered for the position. He and his family are hoping to stay in the Pacific Northwest, which they have fallen for since moving to the region. He said Monroe has already shown him great hospitality, and he sees the department is full of quality people.