SPOTLIGHT
SERGEANT JEFF BELL OXFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
Sergeant Jeff Bell has been a devout public servant to the city of Oxford and the Oxford Police Department for 38 and a half years. Sergeant Bell served the citizens of Oxford as a patrol officer for 25 years before transitioning into a role as a Warrant Officer assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division. The Weaver, Alabama native began his career in his hometown in 1981 before joining the Oxford Police Department in 1983 under the leadership of Chief Stanley Merrill. Current Oxford Chief of Police, Bill Partridge, said, “Chief Merrill saw something special in Sergeant Bell, and he was right. Sergeant Bell has dedicated his life to the citizens of Oxford. He is a true public servant whose dedication is unmatched.”
The Oxford Access team had the chance to talk with Sergeant Bell and learn more about his career, a career he describes as ‘gratifying.’ What got you interested in a career in law enforcement? It is a desire to help people and the community. Once you do it, it gets in your blood, and you want to help as much as possible. How does being a patrol officer differ from being a Warrant Officer in the Criminal Investigations Division? Doing patrol entails a wide variety of things while working as a Warrant Officer allows you to specialize in what you do. You get to gain interest and sharpen your skills in that interest. What does a day-to-day workday look like for you? We deal with a lot of theft and drug cases. Most of the thefts stimulate from drug cases. continued on next page
BY TAYLOR SLOAN 66
oxfordalabama.org
