From Clerk To Cop, Officer Thrives Serving Community

Image of Officer Jhanelle Cole

After tearing her meniscus, Jhanelle Cole was looking for a change. The college basketball player had been juggling a full-time job with Amazon when she stumbled upon an opening as a records clerk at KCPD.

Soon, the 20-year-old found herself at police headquarters with new teammates. Occasionally, she would run into Police Chief Stacey Graves who, like Cole, began her KCPD career as a records clerk before becoming an officer. Cole says that Graves planted the seed.

“When I would be in the hallway, she (Graves) would say, ‘Have you given it any thought yet?’ I thought, ‘Why would I do that?’ But she was making sense.”

Cole started to go on ride-alongs with officers. That intrigued her. But when she observed recruits in the police academy go through exercises and defensive tactics, she was sold.

“I was a former athlete used to running and being active,” Cole explained. “I was watching what they were doing and what their workout looked like. To me, it correlated with being an athlete.”

Now 23, Cole works out of East Patrol Division. Already, she has received a Life-Saving Award from the Metropolitan Chiefs and Sheriffs Association for, with her partner, saving the life of a custodian. With another partner, Cole saved the life of a stabbing victim.

Moments like that bring adrenaline, but the community interactions bring long-lasting fulfillment. On her days off, Cole is a School Resource Officer (SRO) in the Hickman Mills School District, where she has been busy building connections with students. In schools or out in the community, Cole is proud of her service and the representation she brings as an officer of color.

“You are an example for other kids,” Cole said. “I’ve had kids say they want to be like me when they grow up. It’s a representation thing. I think it also helps me communicate with the community because they see someone here for them to make sure they get what they need.”

#WomensHistoryMonth

KCPD has police officer openings. Interested? Apply here.