For Immediate Release: Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Council President Navarro praised Jones for his leadership, commitment to community policing and willingness to implement change
ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 5, 2019—Today the County Council unanimously confirmed Marcus Jones as the County’s new chief of police. Jones, who has been serving as the acting chief of police since June, was officially nominated by County Executive Marc Elrich for the post on Oct. 21. Council President Nancy Navarro’s statement on the Council’s vote to confirm Marcus Jones as the 17th chief of police for Montgomery County is below.
“With more than 34 years of experience in the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), Marcus Jones has the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to lead the department, and he is committed to addressing difficult issues with a calm and steady hand. He has worked his way through the ranks of our police department, serving as the assistant chief of the Investigative Services Bureau, commander of the 3rd District, director of Major Crimes, and commander of the Drug Enforcement Unit. He also happens to share my vision for enhanced community policing based on defined and measurable service levels.
“When called on to become the acting chief of police, Jones didn’t hesitate. He jumped in with both feet because the men and women in his department needed a leader. As acting chief, he comported himself the way he always does—with integrity and professionalism. He also didn’t shy away from controversial issues, understanding that we have high expectations for all our County employees to protect and serve our community fairly.
“Jones is a police chief who has pledged to earn the trust of our community members. He knows our diverse community inside and out and is committed to implementing the changes necessary to ensure that our residents are treated equally. Jones is acutely aware of the challenges that lie ahead, and he will do the hard work that is required to shape the future of our police force.
“The good news is that he won’t be doing all of this alone. We will work with our new police chief to ensure that the overall excellence of our Montgomery County Police Department is maintained. We will collaborate with him to provide the department with the resources necessary to preserve public safety while implementing policies and practices to deescalate dangerous situations and improve cultural proficiency across the workforce.
“Jones shares our common goal of ensuring that Montgomery County is a safe and welcoming community where every police officer treats all residents with respect and dignity regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion or class. He will lead the County’s highly respected police team by protecting and serving all residents.
“The Council congratulates Chief of Police Marcus Jones and looks forward to partnering with him in this new role. We also thank him for his continued commitment to our extraordinary community.”
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Release ID: 19-349