Ohio State Highway Patrol superintendent: Law enforcement is a noble profession
The new superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) said he wholeheartedly believes that law enforcement is still a "noble profession" that offers young people a wonderful opportunity to serve their communities in a positive fashion.
Col. Charles "Chuck" Jones was appointed superintendent of the OSHP by Gov. Mike DeWine during a ceremony held Aug. 3 in Columbus. Jones, a native of Marion County, called the appointment "a great career accomplishment" and "definitely the highlight of my career." He was promoted to the rank of colonel.
Jones noted that despite the negative issues the law enforcement community has experienced over the years, he would still recommend it to young people who are considering career choices.
"I would tell young people getting in or wanting to get into the profession that, number one, law enforcement is a very noble profession," said Jones, who has worked law enforcement for nearly 29 years. "History has shown that there are ups and downs in law enforcement. We've seen it. Many of us have lived through those times and the last two, two and a half years have been no different. But it's about being a service-minded person.
"If you're service-minded, the law enforcement, and being able to go out and impact the communities and the state that you live in, there's no greater and noble profession than law enforcement. I would say if it's something they're interested in, go for it."
Jones said law enforcement agencies are always looking for talented, intelligent, and dedicated people to join their ranks.
"If that's your dream and your passion and you're service-minded, then, by all means, step forward and be in a position to make an impact within the community and within the state," Jones said. "As I said, it's just a noble and rewarding profession and I would encourage anybody that's got and interest in law enforcement and putting service above self to enter the ranks of law enforcement. We need good police officers, deputies, and troopers in general. Go for it."
Harkening back to his days as a young man coming up through the ranks in Marion County, Jones said the local law enforcement community has always been close-knit and worked together well.
"Marion County law enforcement has always shared a special collegiality between the departments and the way they get along and collaborate with each other," said Jones, who began his career as a dispatcher and later a jailer with the Marion County Sheriff's Office. "I saw that firsthand when I was the (Ohio State Highway Patrol) post commander in Marion. There were joint enforcement ventures that we would do that would include the sheriff's office and police department and they were always willing participants in those different missions."
Jones said that he believes Marion County residents are "very fortunate" to have the level of law enforcement service and leadership that is currently available locally.
"Obviously, I'm not there in the community every day anymore, but because I know Chief (Jay) McDonald and Sheriff (Matt) Bayles, both of whom I came up with working the streets many years ago, the Marion law enforcement community and the Marion community is very, very lucky to have three agencies that get along great, that work collaboratively together for the good of all the citizens and those passing through," Jones said. "That's something that law enforcement in Marion has shared for many, many years."
Jones replaces the former superintendent Col. Richard S. Fambro, who retired on Aug. 12 after nearly 32 years of distinguished service. Jones completed training at the FBI National Academy in 2005. He earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 2021.
Jones selected Major Joshua M. Swindell to serve as a new assistant superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Swindell, who began his career in 1993 and served for two years as an assistant post commander at the Marion Post, will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and will fill the assistant superintendent position vacated by Jones. Swindell will serve alongside current assistant superintendent Lt. Col. Marla Gaskill.
Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Highway Patrol superintendent: Law enforcement is a noble profession
