Clarksville High School Grads Join the Clarksville Police Department

CLARKSVILLE, IN (December 21, 2023) – The Clarksville Police Department grew a bit larger this week as it welcomed two new officers. Officers Steven Schnell and Bailey Leonhardt were sworn in during Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting by judge Jimmie Guilfoyle. It was standing room only in the Council Chambers with dozens of family members, friends, and fellow officers in attendance to witness the two former Clarksville High School grads being sworn in.

Officers Schnell and Leonhardt are take their oath of office. — Officers Schnell and Leonhardt take their oath of office.

Officer Steven Schnell joins the department after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he received several commendations including: the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Medal, NATO Medal, a Certificate of Commendation and an Expert Rifle Qualification Badge. Officer Schnell also served with the Clark County Sheriff’s Department as a corrections officer, and as a reserve officer with the Clarksville Police Department. Officer Schnell also holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville. During his hiring process, Officer Schnell requested badge number 36 in honor of his grandfather, who wore the same badge number when he retired from the New Albany Police Department.

Officer Bailey Leonhardt also graduated from Clarksville High School and is a longtime Clarksville resident. After lettering in four sports at CHS, Bailey went on to earn her degree from IU Southeast. She is a former Clarksville Parks Officer, Clarksville Reserve Police Officer, and the first female officer hired in Clarksville in nine years. The department currently has two female officers on staff.

Chief Mark Palmer says female recruits are highly sought after by other area departments, so Leonhardt would have had her choice of where to serve. Palmer says Officer Leonhardt chose to stay local and serve her hometown where she is raising her son with her husband. Palmer says he hopes more women will follow Officer Leonhardt’s example and consider a law enforcement career in Clarksville.