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Enthusiasm lures Chief Jenkins to Casey  Share
When Mark Jenkins first met with Casey Mayor Scott Elkins he was impressed by the newly-elected official's enthusiasm for change. ''I have also met with all the council members and find the enthusiasm contagious,'' he said. Jenkins, whose first official day as Casey Police Chief was June 16, brings 32 years of law enforcement experience to the post. As a teen, his father worked a second career with the Coles County Sheriff's Department, after he had retired from groundskeeping at Eastern Illinois University. ''I was exposed to law enforcement; had some interest in it,'' Jenkins said. After graduating from Charleston High School in 1975, Jenkins enrolled in Lake Land College's first law enforcement program. By 1977, he was a dispatcher for the Charleston Police Department. He worked through the ranks of the department, becoming patrolman, and in 1996 was promoted to lieutenant. It was the first time that an officer was promoted from patrolman to lieutenant, bypassing the rank of sergeant, Jenkins explained. ''I was on the sergeant's eligibility list and none of the current sergeants passed the lieutenant's test. I took it and passed.''
In July 2005, Charleston Chief Ghibellini retired, and for the first time, Charleston hired outside the department, naming Chief Welch from Wisconsin Rapids as his replacement. Welch left in 2007 and Jenkins was named chief of the 33 officer department. With a large department, duties focused on administrative tasks and Jenkins admitted missing his patrolman days. Always in uniform, rather than shirt and tie, Jenkins was always willing to assist his patrolman when necessary, sometimes surprising the public when seen directing traffic at an accident or other street duties. ''You've got to work as a team,'' Jenkins explained of his lead by example philosophy. Two years later, Jenkins finds himself leading a police department of seven in Casey. ''It was little bit of a culture shock,'' Jenkins said of the smaller department, ''But structurally, it's basically the same.'' He does plan, however, to get out into the community and actively assist his officers. He had indicated his interest in the position, should Chief Wally Whitton retire, to friends he had met when visiting the community. Wife, Patty, is cousin to Jeanette Huisinga and Diane Bolin. ''I was happy in Charleston,'' he said. ''But when Scott was elected mayor, Jerry Lorton, Clark County Sheriff's Deputy, called and asked me if I was still interested.'' He was. Mayor Elkins and Jenkins met a couple times and, Chief Jenkins said, ''The rest is history.'' He said Casey has a lot to offer, with such attributes as the park, the schools and close proximity to the interstate. And, knowing that people are discussing community improvement, was ''paramount.'' As he drove around the community seeking a new home, Jenkins noted the deterioration of some homes and buildings. ''City-wide improvement is number one priority,'' he said. ''Ordinance issues need to be addressed. Abatement issues have developed over the years. I intend to take an active part in that.'' Officers have indicated they wanted more training. He plans to provide. He also wants to be more involved in the community and to improve lines of communication. ''We will be responsive to the community,'' Jenkins said. Jenkins and his wife have just purchased a home in Casey and plan to move in the next few months. Patty is a nurse with the Coles County Public Health Department. Son, Adam, a four-year member of the Mattoon Police Department, is moving into the Jenkins' Charleston home. When the new Casey Chief is off-duty, he enjoys spending time with his two grandsons, ages six and four, playing an occasional game of golf, traveling and watching his favorite sports teams, the Chicago Cubs and Bears. He is also heavily involved in Masons and Shriners. Jenkins first impressions of Casey are favorable. ''I've been overwhelmed,'' he said. ''The people are great.'' Marcy Shonk is a staff reporter for the Casey Reporter.
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