![Cpl. Richard Buster, Chief John Clair, Officer Paul Moriarty of the Quantico Police Department. [Submitted photo]](https://www.potomaclocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/073113-quantico.jpg)
QUANTICO, Va. — It’s a new day for the Quantico Police Department, and its new chief has just passed the 100-day mark on the job.
He’s been made some changes.
Chief John P. Clair is Town of Quantico’s only public servant, aside from its Town Council which represents Quantico’s 600 residents. He was tapped to lead the department after an investigation earlier this year resulted in the resignation of its former chief and a full-time officer, after a gun, cash, and drugs went missing.
Under Clair’s new leadership, the department has just hired a new full-time officer, and by September will have five auxiliary police officers on its force — all of them with backgrounds in law enforcement.
“All of our auxiliary officers are volunteers, and they all have backgrounds in law enforcement who have left law enforcement for the betterment of their careers,” said Clair.
The town is looking for experienced auxiliary officers turned business owners or community leaders, said Clair. Many of interested applicants have already called to see if they can help.
The changeover from old to new has been a process. More than 10 years of equipment records, department documents, and investigation notes have been reviewed, and new policies are in place.
“I’ve added new control measures to thwart some of the previous problems we had with department property going, policies that limit access to the building, as well as equipment, weapons, and ammunition,” said Clair.
He’s also received assistance from nearby police departments like Prince William County, Dumfries, and Middleburg Police in Loudoun County. Clair is also working with officials in Windsor, Va., outside Suffolk, who recently saw a tax windfall and plan to donate some police equipment for the town, said Clair.
In the future, Quantico will seek full accreditation for its police department, which will place it on par with other police agencies in the state. In cooperation with Mayor Kevin Brown, Clair says he plans to add emergency management to list of duties in his department.
A fireworks display being organized by the town for Labor Day will be the first time Clair will be able to showcase the work he’s done, and changes he’s made at the department, to residents of the town.
A police officer with 14 years experience working as a cop in Prince William County, as well as in the Army, Clair is married with two children and lives outside Culpeper.
