Not only is Florence’s new police chief a native of the city, but he has also spent his entire career at the department.
The city welcomed Jeff Mallery into his new position as police chief earlier this month. Mallery is replacing chief Tom Grau, who is retiring on May 1. Mallery is a 21-year veteran of the department, joining them in 2002; however, Mallery said he wasn’t the kid who dreamed of growing up and becoming a police officer.
Mallery graduated from Boone County High School and attended Northern Kentucky University, where he earned a degree in history. After college, Mallery worked in sales for six years but decided to change career paths after 9/11 and after seeing his brother serve as a police officer.
“My father-in-law is also a retired Boone County Police Officer,” he said. “So it kind of all came together, and I decided to give it a try back in 2002.”
Mallery has served in various capacities, including patrolman, corporal, sergeant and lieutenant. His tenure includes roles within the criminal investigation unit, leadership in the field training program and serving as the accreditation manager, overseeing the department’s accreditation process.
“I have had the fortune of working with now Chief Mallery for over 20 years,” said former Florence Police Chief Thomas Szurlinski. “Jeff was born and raised in Florence. During my time working in Florence, I first met Jeff and his family. His family values were obviously learned from his parents. In his police career, Jeff has excelled in every position he was assigned.”
Mallery said he did not see himself becoming chief.
“I wasn’t really my career path through college and stuff,” he said. “And then when I got into police work, it wasn’t my goal to be chief, but getting into the supervision areas and seeing the influence and positive things I could do, that kind of fueled my desire to keep moving up as much as possible.”
During Mallery’s tenure, he said the officers, supervisors and Florence mayors are why he never considered moving to a different department.
“Back when everyone wanted to de-fund the police and all of that, we had support,” Mallery said. “They even painted a blue line on Ewing (Blvd. where the department is located.) Just being from here and the citizens and the support we get from them as well. That’s what drew me to want to be here and stay here.”
Florence Mayor Julie Aubuchon promoted Mallery to the chief of police.
“The city of Florence is fortunate to have a professional, well-trained and well-respected police department,” Aubuchon said. “Jeff Mallery is from Florence and has spent his entire career as a member of the Florence Police Department. I know that he will do an amazing job as our chief of police.”
Mallery said that though becoming chief wasn’t his goal, it was a huge honor to accomplish that.
“Chief Mallery has a unique ability that will help him do very well as the chief,” Szurlinski said. “Jeff has exceptional law enforcement abilities, skills and experience. He is able to blend that with a remarkable competence in leadership while exhibiting respect for each individual person that he meets. As a resident of Florence, I am looking forward to the direction that chief Mallery takes the Florence Police Department as the agency continues to excel.”
