Growing up, Jeff Redfern was sure he would follow in his father’s footsteps.
He always thought he was headed for a job with the California Department of Fish and Game. Instead, Redfern made his home in North Carolina and found his calling as a detective for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.
For the past 18 years, Redfern, 39, has worked for the CMPD, serving about the last 12 years in the Juvenile Offenders Unit. This has Redfern in and out of Charlotte, Mecklenburg schools, dealing with students and helping get young offenders back on the right track. The job is both frustrating and rewarding, but worthwhile when you’re able to really help get a kid straightened out, Redfern said.
“There are times when you’re able to get involved with a family, where your action with them shakes some sense into kids,” Redfern said. “(You) may not see it immediately, but then you get a phone call from parents appreciating the time you took to go out and speak to their children.”
When Redfern isn’t working, he tries to leave the job at home and focus his free time on coaching for the Harrisburg Youth Association. Redfern started coaching in the HYA when his son, Justin, 13, began playing in the league, Redfern’s daughter, Kallie, 9, also played in the league.
“It started off with my kids, but I also really enjoy coaching,” Redfern said. “(I like) working with kids and teaching. I think there’s a lot that can be learned through sports.”
While he started off coaching baseball, Redfern has also coached seasons as a football, soccer, basketball and softball coach throughout his eight years involved in the HYA.
Steve Sciascia and Redfern have been coaching and watching HYA sports off and on for the past seven years. The duo met when their kids were playing on the same team. Redferns concern for children on the team and his desire to help children improve their skills are what makes him a good coach, Sciascia said.
“He’s an easy going, laid back kind of guy,” Sciascia said. “He’s polite and very calm in his demeanor. He genuinely cares about people. He’s concerned about people and the issues that surround them.”
Redfern, who calls himself a simple “meat and potatoes,” type of guy, moved to North Carolina in 1985. Although he spent most of his childhood on the West Coast, Redfern considers North Carolina his home. He says the Southern feel of the area is well suited to his laid back personality.
He’s been in the Harrisburg area since 1992, and officially within the town’s limits for the last eight years. Cabarrus County’s school system and the small town feel of the community drew Redfern and his wife, Angela, to the area in the first place.
“It’s a very small town, it’s close to Charlotte it’s got small businesses and a (small town community),” Redfern said. “I consider it to have a fairly low crime rate. It has an overall sense of safety and overall family atmosphere.” -Christie Barlow
