MARK JONES Mark Jones wants to put his more than three decades in law enforcement to work as Mariposa County’s next sheriff. He made the official announcement last week.

Jones, who has been with the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office for 21 of those years, has known that law enforcement was his passion for his entire life. “I fell in love with Mariposa and would not change my 21 years here,” he said, reflecting on his career.

He said keeping the peace in Mariposa provides a “connection” with citizens that can’t be had in larger jurisdictions. “My strength is the ability to communicate,” Jones said. “People are absolutely the greatest asset” of the department he explained. “I’m extremely proud of my 31 years and the profession I chose. I want the deputies to be as proud of their chosen profession and to love to

Jones believes that reestablishing that sense of family and community in the department is important. “We have young, talented deputies, but they need to see on a daily basis that they have support of the administration,” he said.

He believes retaining deputies is key in community relations. “There has to be consistency, stability. The deputies will respond with a better level of confidence to the public. Without community support, we don’t get half of what gets accomplished.”

Jones knows there are some challenges ahead. “We are obviously not in favorable economic times. But it’s not just getting the money, it’s spending it properly to get the most out of what you have,” he said.

He knows there are stronger forces out there that will influence his department’s ability to get the job done. “You can’t just look at local budgets,” he said, noting that state cuts will have an impact here. “It means an increase in our already overcrowded and understaffed jail,” he said of the potential changes. “Parolees put more work on our patrol staff.”

In Jones’ mind, narcotics remain the biggest threat to public safety in Mariposa County, a problem that is being magnified by the slumping economy. The stress is tough on the community, and that’s where he believes the human connection comes into play.

“We have to part of the solution,” Jones said of law enforcement. “There has to be compassion shown.” He said that treating people with basic dignity goes a long way in solving problems later on. “If you treat people fairly, it will pay off in investigations. Respect is a two-way street.”

Jones has been a volunteer coach for Mariposa Youth Football, Little League and the liaison for Special Olympics. He was a member of the Sheriff’s Posse, the Pioneer Wagon Train and still acts as the announcer for Grizzly football and a number of fair events and is a Rotarian.

Jones said that involvement pays off. “If a community is good to you, you pay them back. You try to leave things in better condition.”

The candidate continued, “I have beautiful children that have benefitted. You owe it to the community to be a part of it.” Jones has a son, Chris, who is a student at Columbia College; daughter, Lauren, who attends Merced College; and step-daughter, Laura, who is a senior at MCHS.

He wants a stronger relationship between law enforcement and the citizens it serves. “I want people to know these young deputies we have are asked to do so much more. We must make sure they have the confidence, appropriate training and the support they need to protect themselves and protect the citizens,” he said.

“The end result,” Jones said “will not only be a better working relationship for deputies, but it will translate into a better working relationship with the community.”

Jones has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from San Diego City College District, and a bachelor’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in criminal justice from National University. He is pleased with what he has accomplished here, and hopes to lead the department in the future. “I’ve done my job well,” he said, reflecting on his years of service.