Chief McClain has over 25 years of public service experience and has served with the Bellevue Police Department since 2010. He was the first recruit Bellevue had sent to the police academy since 1994 and served his first two years as a patrolman. In 2012, he was promoted to the department’s first detective and served in that role for three years before being promoted to sergeant in 2015, lieutenant in 2018, and then appointed police chief in January of 2022. During his career, he has served on multi-jurisdictional teams for fire investigation, crime scene investigation, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. He serves on the executive board for the Northern Kentucky Police Chiefs Association and the Northern Kentucky Police and Sheriffs Training Center. 

Jonathan served in the United States Navy from 2000 to 2005, completing two deployments to the Persian Gulf for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. After separation from the Navy, he served as a dispatcher for the Northern Kentucky University Police Department from 2005 to 2007 and as a Deputy Jailer for Campbell County from 2007 to 2010.

Jonathan graduated from Boone County High School and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Thomas More University in 2019. Chief McClain is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy (#282), the Department of Homeland Security Leadership Academy (#15), Criminal Justice Executive Development (#22), and the Academy of Police Supervision (#65). He has also been awarded Career Development Certificates as an Investigator, Supervisor, Manager, Executive, and Chief Executive.

Jonathan lives in Burlington with his wife Melanie and their incredible daughter Madalynn. He enjoys camping with his family and friends, golfing, and playing in his adult baseball league.

Chief McClain serves on the Curriculum Committee.

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