Hugh Lewis/Jefferson Jimplecute
First year officer Joshua Cox is the 2023 Officer of the Year for the Jefferson Police Department. Chief Florentino Perez recognized Cox’s contributions to the department during 2022 at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
“It is my honor and a privilege to recognize officer Joshua Cox for his relentless efforts and duty to serve the Citizens of Jefferson,” Perez said. “Last year was a tough year for the agency, recovering from a staff shortage as well as battling fatigue and exhaustion for the continues hours worked. Nevertheless, the Department remained a 24/7 agency always having an officer patrolling and ready to respond to emergencies.”
Cox joined the department immediately after completing the Police Academy at the end of January 2022.
“He has taken every opportunity to develop himself as the best officer he can be, attending training on his days off after working a 12-hour shift and always being available when called upon. Even with our agency enduring hardship, Officer Cox stayed and grew with us, and became a vital member of our team,” Perez said.
Perez continued his remarks providing Council with a first quarter update on the department’s activities.
He said the department is starting the process to become a Texas Police Chief Association Recognized Agency as this may become required in the future.
He said currently there are only a handful of offices in Texas with the recognition.
They are also participating in a ETBU Criminal Justice Internship this spring; hosting the East Texas Police Chief Association luncheon on April 27; and reviewing the processes and resumes received for a city building inspector.
Perez said he, along with Marion County Sheriff David Capps and JISD Chief DJ Sherrill, are currently identifying issues discovered with the radio tower just north of town.
The tower has not been maintained well over the years and as a result the agencies are having issues getting the tower assessed.
Perez said the current inspection on the tower will cost the city $400 – $500 for their portion, the radio budget covering the fee, and should provide the agencies with options on what needs to be done.
“A pipeline cleaner cut a power line to the tower recently,” Perez said. “While there’s a generator there, it didn’t operate as it’s supposed to and every radio communication channel in town went down as a result.”
Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker asked Perez to keep the city updated on possible expenses for the system as they move into budget season this summer.
JPD is also replacing one of the police vehicles immediately as council approved spending up to the budgeted $60,000 to purchase a 2023 Chevy Tahoe Defender.
Perez said the challenge the last couple of years has been in finding a vehicle to purchase. “Currently the minimum turn-around time is a year or more,” he said.
Perez found the Tahoe as a part of the Texas Smart Buy Program, saving the city in costs. Perez was able to find the Tahoe in stock and could have it delivered, turn-key, in three months.
“I contacted 10 dealerships and two were able to supply quotes,” Perez said. The other proposed vehicle was a Ford Explorer for $71,861.04 with a delivery date of 13-14 months.
The vehicle will replace the 2010 Dodge Charger. The last vehicle the City purchased was in 2020.
Council also agreed to support the department with downtown parking and traffic regulations enforcement.
Perez asked Council for their support following comments from some officers as they felt discouraged in performing their duties when they were being questioned on why they were enforcing the law.
Council has been discussing the parking situation after it was called to their attention by resident Jeff Soffich last month.
Soffich claimed he was being targeted by officers for parking in no-parking striped areas while others doing the same thing were not. He addressed the Council during public comment earlier this month.
Soffich spoke again Tuesday night, praising the department for enforcement but requested it be done evenly across the board.
Perez said the department operates on a three-step approach to traffic enforcement around town. Starting with an informal request for the vehicle to be moved or to correct the infraction, then followed with a verbal or written warning, and lastly providing a citation or moving toward towing of the vehicle.
Perez also brought up the recent increase in parking spaces being “reserved” using a traffic cone.
“While there is not an ordinance prohibiting reserving a space,” Perez said, “There’s also nothing saying one can.”
Perez went on to say that when he receives complaints about someone removing a cone from a space, there’s nothing he can do. He encouraged Council to address the situation with an ordinance.
Council reiterated their support for the officers and the work they do. They also voted to support the department in their actions regarding enforcement of city ordinances.
Perez said officers will begin a more concerted effort to enforce parking in the downtown area.