Jonathan Stanley’s position as a new officer for Dublin PD feels like a perfect fit in several ways.
“It’s what I always wanted to do,” Stanley said of serving in law enforcement.
Stanley graduated from Weatherford ISD in 2006 before moving to the smaller community of Lipan ‘as fast as we could.’
He started attending the academy but it didn’t work out so Stanley went to work in maintenance for the city of Weatherford.
His family and friends encouraged his not to give up on his dream career though so after 10 years, he was hired by Willow Park Police Department and completed his training at the academy.
He went to work in Erath County from there, and then he heard about the open position in Dublin PD.
He was sworn in Friday, May 22 and started last week. While working for Erath County Sheriff’s Office, he would come through Dublin and liked the look of the community. In his first few days, he already knew it was a good fit.
“I love [serving in a small town],” said Stanley. “That’s what Willow Park was. I’m built for small towns because I like that community feeling.”
He’s had that feeling several times in the new uniform such as getting shown around the school where everybody waved and smiled in greeting him.
“You could just tell it’s a small town/tight-knit kind of thing,” he said.
When asked what draws him to smaller communities, Stanley responded, “In departments with bigger agencies, you’re just a number. It’s more personable when you’re in a small community.” He added that the community spirit allows people to build relationships and trust so the citizens know officers can be counted on when they need them.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know the people of Dublin and working for them,” he said.
Jonathan and his wife, Natalie, have two children, Ava (16) and Jaxon (14).