By Stephen Smoot
The motto of American law enforcement is “to protect and to serve.” Most think first of the officers who put their lives on the line every time they go on duty. Even the best law enforcement officers, however, would struggle to perform as well if their department lacked skilled administrators to keep the operation running smoothly.
Shinnston Police Department is seeking out one such individual to fill in the job of police clerk.
The position combines the roles of police clerk and administrative assistant to the chief of police, Jon Harbert. According to the chief, there are “a lot of requirements that go with that position.” Harbert stated that an ideal candidate would start with “people skills” and experience “being able to deal with the public.”
Duties of the position would include collecting tickets and fines, coordinating court hearings with judges, handling records, and “keeping everything in place with Charleston.” That means ensuring that the department stays in line with state laws, rules, and regulations. The candidate should also have office management skills and experience.
Over the past five years, the police clerk has also performed grant writing work for the department. Locating and applying for grant support has grown into an ever-expanding resource for law enforcement at all levels. Harbert said “they will have to learn to be a grant writer,” if they do not have that skill coming into the job.
To attract the best possible candidates, Harbert stated that “we’re keeping it a competitive wage.” The position will also include health insurance, optional eye and dental coverage, and paid holidays and sick leave.
Harbert shared that the former clerk came onto the job at the same time as he became chief, approximately five years ago. She left the role to take another position with the city.