Marietta College Police Department Chief Jim Weaver shares a laugh with Marietta College students. (Photo Provided)

For many Marietta College students, the police chief on campus has been more than just a uniform.

Jim Weaver, who has led the Marietta College Police Department since 2013, is remembered by students for small gestures — from offering rides to those on crutches to even helping with proposals.

“We take a very community approach to law enforcement,” Weaver said. “Anything we can do to help a student, we’re going to do to help a student. I’ve had students ask me for advice on how to propose to their girlfriends. I’ve had students ask me to look over papers before they turned them in. Those are the kinds of personal connections you don’t expect people to reach out to a police officer for.”

Weaver joined the department in 2008 and rose through the ranks to sergeant in 2010, lieutenant in 2013 and chief later that year. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and has certifications including crisis intervention training, firearms instruction and recognition as a master criminal investigator.

Training and professional development have remained central to his leadership. Under his direction, three full-time officers have attained certification as master criminal investigators, while another has become a master evidence technician.

“I want to provide the most professional officer for our community that I can, because I feel like our community deserves that,” Weaver said.

After 17 years at Marietta College, Weaver said his goal remains steady.

“I always want everybody in our community, whether it be faculty, staff, students or guests, to know that we’re here to help and that they can call us anytime,” Weaver said. “Even if it’s not law enforcement related, we might be able to find the person that they need. I just want them to know they always have a resource in us.”