Meet Valentine's new police chief

VALENTINE, Neb. - Across the nation, many cities and towns are experiencing frequent turnover in police leadership—a trend that has accelerated since 2020 amid growing calls for police accountability.

News Channel Nebraska sat down with Valentine’s new police chief to talk about his vision for the department and the ongoing challenges of recruiting officers.

“I'm excited for the opportunity,” said Valentine Police Chief Jamon Slama.

Slama steps into the role after former chief Dana Miller resigned to take a different law enforcement position. Slama has served as an officer for 26 years, including two decades in Valentine.

“I was on the night shift for most of the last 20 years. You don’t see me in the daytime. You probably can’t pick me out if you haven’t met me at night,” said Slama.

The new chief says his first priority will be recruiting new officers. The department should have six officers, but right now only has four.

“We have been short-staffed for years now. I feel good knowing it’s not just us. It’s every police department in the state, and every state across the country is having a hard time getting police officers,” said Slama.

From social media posts to bonuses, the department has already tried several strategies. The newest idea? During last week’s Valentine City Council meeting, members talked about hiring an officer dedicated to code enforcement, building permits, and animal control.

“Police work - good police work - can be fun. Even if it’s not fun, it can be rewarding,” said Slama.

A rewarding job, and a new opportunity for Slama to connect with people in the community.

“It’s a chance to put faces to people, so they know who to approach,” said Slama.