By Walt Houser
This week signifies a pivotal transition for the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) as Chief Marcus Jones departs after nearly four decades of dedicated service. Beginning July 1st, newly confirmed Chief Mark Yamada will assume department leadership.
In his June 25, 2024, Media Briefing, County Executive Marc Elrich expressed profound gratitude for Chief Jones’s steadfast service, particularly highlighting his adept navigation through numerous significant challenges. These challenges included the COVID-19 pandemic, protests following the murder of George Floyd, and the shooting at Magruder High School. Throughout these events, Chief Jones managed police staffing and recruitment hurdles affecting departments nationwide. His leadership facilitated significant strides in community trust, public safety improvements, and crucial reforms. His tenure has been marked by increased transparency and accountability, establishing a robust foundation for the department’s future.
Chief Marcus Jones’s Legacy
Chief Jones’s career has been distinguished by his dedication to nurturing a police force that is not only efficient but also compassionate and attuned to the diverse needs of Montgomery County. He emphasized his primary goal of leaving the department in a better state than he found it. Under his leadership, MCPD saw improvements in addressing crime, particularly with technological innovations and community engagement. His tenure is marked by:
Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implementing adaptive strategies to maintain public safety and departmental operations.
Community Trust and Transparency: Enhancing community relations through increased transparency and accountability measures.
Crime Reduction Efforts: Addressing crime spikes, such as carjackings and juvenile offenses, and maintaining response times despite staffing challenges.
Welcoming Chief Mark Yamada
Chief Yamada, an internal candidate with a distinguished career within MCPD, brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of the community’s needs. His promotion from within reflects the strength and depth of the department’s leadership. Yamada’s familiarity with MCPD’s operations, culture, and personnel is expected to ensure a smooth transition and continuity in ongoing initiatives.
Elrich’s Confidence in the New Leadership
County Executive Elrich is confident that Chief Yamada’s background, dedication, and vision make him the ideal leader at this critical juncture. Elrich emphasized the continuity provided by promoting an internal candidate, ensuring that current initiatives and reforms can continue progressing without disruption.
Chief Yamada’s Vision and Challenges Ahead
Chief Yamada acknowledged the significant challenges ahead, particularly in staffing and juvenile crime, which have seen a rise recently. He plans to focus on:
Staffing and Recruitment: Continuing to address staffing issues with innovative solutions.
Juvenile Crime: Partnering with other county agencies to address the rise in juvenile crimes and victimization.
Traffic Safety: Enhancing efforts to protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users through expanded automated traffic enforcement programs.
Community Engagement: Building on the department’s efforts to foster strong community relations.
Reflecting on Chief Jones’s Impact
Chief Jones reflected on his 38 years of service with gratitude, emphasizing the progress made in public safety and crime reduction in Montgomery County. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of county officials, the community, and his team to achieve these milestones. He expressed confidence in Chief Yamada’s ability to build on this legacy and lead the department to further success.
Moving Forward
As Chief Yamada steps into his new role, he looks forward to leading MCPD in its mission to protect and serve all residents with fairness, transparency, and respect. His leadership aims to enhance public safety strategies, build community trust, and ensure the department continues to advance in its efforts to maintain a safe and vibrant community for all residents of Montgomery County.
Closing Remarks
County Executive Elrich concluded the briefing by thanking Chief Jones for his exemplary service and congratulating Chief Yamada on his well-deserved appointment. He expressed optimism for the department’s future under Yamada’s leadership and reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the community’s critical issues.
Chief Jones and Chief Yamada then took the floor to share their perspectives on the transition and address questions from the media. They expressed their commitment to maintaining high public safety standards and continuing to build a strong, community-oriented police force in Montgomery County.
Q&A Session with Reporters
After the formal announcements, Chief Jones and Chief Yamada answered questions from the media, providing insights into the challenges faced by MCPD and their visions for the future.
Talia Velas, Univision DC:
Q: What have been some of the challenges you have faced, Mr. Marcus Jones, and what are some of the new challenges that the new Chief will take on?
Chief Jones: “The challenges we’ve faced included growing crime issues like carjackings and large car meetups, which were exacerbated by the societal changes brought about by COVID-19. We’ve also dealt with staffing issues, a common problem for police departments nationwide. Despite these challenges, we’ve maintained response times and utilized technological advancements to enhance public safety. Staffing will continue to be a significant issue that Chief Yamada must address, and I am confident in his ability to build on the foundation we’ve laid.”
Chief Yamada: “Building on what Chief Jones mentioned, I will inherit these challenges, particularly staffing. I will focus on enhancing our personnel policies, training, supervision, and oversight and maintaining transparency and accountability. Juvenile crime, both in terms of perpetrators and victims, is a rising concern that we must address in collaboration with other county agencies. Traffic safety, especially for vulnerable road users, remains a priority. We aim to expand our automated traffic enforcement program and enhance technology-driven initiatives.”
Judith Hays, The Greater Olney News:
Q: What benefits has having the substation in the Olney community been?
Chief Yamada: “The Olney substation has been hugely beneficial. It reduces response times, provides higher visibility, and allows the community to engage directly with our officers. It is a crucial hub for our engagement efforts, reflecting our commitment to being closely woven into the community. The support from the Olney community has been tremendous, and this substation plays a vital role in our operations and community relations.”
Walt Houser 