Keldon Brown was sworn in last month as the new police chief for Pleasant Grove’s department. Former Chief Mike Roberts recently retired from the department, leaving room for someone new to take over. For Brown, who started his law enforcement career in Pleasant Grove, being in this new position is like coming home.

“I was hired in 1985 as dispatch in Pleasant Grove. I had come home from a mission and they had an opening for graveyard (shift). I was studying accounting at UVU,” Brown said. “A year later, they had an opening as dispatcher in Orem and I did that for a couple of years, still going to school. Then, they had an opening for a police officer and I inquired with the chief, and three weeks later I was in the police academy.”

Brown worked for Orem’s police department for 34 years in a variety of roles, including patrol, detective, sergeant and captain, before he retired three years ago. During his time with Orem, he also worked part time at the Brigham Young University Police Department and continued there after retiring from Orem. Part of his duties included traveling with the university’s football team as security to some away games, which he greatly enjoyed.

“I loved BYU, but this came up in Pleasant Grove and I decided to apply. I had a great experience meeting with administrators, city council, the mayor, participated in the testing process and then in the first of December, I was offered a job and I accepted,” Brown said. He began duties as chief on Jan. 3, after finishing his commitments at BYU’s department in December.

“Altogether, I’ve had about 37 years of police experience. I had the beginnings at Pleasant Grove. I was also raised here, grew up north of the high school. My dad still lives in that house today,” Brown said. “I always liked the community and have lived here most of my life. We moved for a few years, then wanted to raise our kids here. I like the school system here and the sense of community in Pleasant Grove.”

Brown said that there is a feeling that exists within the PGPD of camaraderie as well as a good feeling in the community. “There is a small-town feel. When I grew up, everyone knew everybody. It’s a little bigger now. I knew about half of the department when I came back here. They are great, quality officers and I’m happy to be back in Pleasant Grove.”

As with any community, Pleasant Grove has its challenges for law enforcement. Brown said that there are consistent burglaries and thefts, both residential and automobile, in the city. There also is a steady drug usage problem, he said, keeping the department’s K-9 unit very active.

Mental health concerns also exist with a lot of the city’s residents, which police officers often deal with in their interactions and calls. However, the city’s crime rate is fairly low, according to Brown, with an average of less than one homicide per year.

“One of the biggest challenges we have is officer retention. We seem to lose a lot of our officers to other departments that pay a little better. We are trying to keep them here,” Brown said. “We understand that there are many needs in the city and we are just one of many departments, but we are trying to keep our force filled with good, quality officers. Historically, we train good officers and then they go to other departments.”

Brown said that there are a lot of good things happening in Pleasant Grove and he is taking a look at what the department is currently doing: “We are active in the schools, neighborhoods and business areas. We want to be interactive in all parts of the community and build trust with the community and serve.”

“I want to increase our interaction in the community and with the schools. We want officers trained sufficiently to address anything that comes our way,” Brown said. This includes responding to active shooters, something that is often in the news from other communities. “We need to be vigilant,” he added.

Mental health needs of community members and being able to connect people to the right resources are also priorities for Brown.

“I was a Purple Turtle kid. That was my first job. I am happy to be back in Pleasant Grove. I have worked under eight different chiefs and learned a lot of leadership. They have had an influence and impact on where I am today,” Brown said.

Brown, who graduated from Pleasant Grove High School, received a bachelor’s degree in business from UVU and a master’s in public administration from BYU. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three kids and three grandkids.

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