Clio’s new police patch.
CLIO —The Clio Police Department is undergoing significant reform, having recently hired three new officers from the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office. The newly appointed staff includes Terry Freeman as chief, Jackie Heffner as assistant chief, and Jacob Taylor as a patrolman. Each officer brings years of experience to their role. Former chief Ryan Rummage is still on the force as a part-time officer.
Clio Mayor Adam Pate believes that hiring officers with more experience will help ensure the citizens of Clio’s safety. “It’s great to have experienced officers in the town of Clio. They have a wealth of knowledge and come from different backgrounds in law enforcement. We plan to utilize their knowledge in order to continue to keep Clio safe,” he said.
According to Freeman, their focus is open with the citizens in Clio. “Accountability and transparency are something we want to provide the town with because it’s what they deserve,” said Freeman. Freeman is also working hard to ensure all academy standards are compiled within the department.
One of the main issues the police department faces right now is a lack of funding, making it hard to get the equipment that the police department needs, such as uniforms and car maintenance.
“Mayor Pate and the town council have been nothing but supportive in their efforts, thus making the transition run much smoother,” said Freeman.
Freeman is excited to work with the community and would like to let citizens of Clio know that his office hours at Town Hall are Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. He stated that he has an open-door policy meaning anyone who would like to come in and share information about the ongoings of the community is more than welcome to do so during office hours.
As Clio moves forward with these reforms, the police department is hopeful that increased community engagement and experienced leadership will foster a safer environment for all residents.