Clay Farmer has joined Affinia Healthcare as its new Assistant Vice President of Community Safety and Security. In this newly created role, Farmer will be responsible for developing, directing, and executing strategies, programs and actions designed to promote workplace and community safety and security. He will also lead comprehensive violence prevention efforts, including establishing and maintaining collaborations with key community partners.

“As a comprehensive healthcare provider, we are keenly aware of the affect violence in our communities has on the mental and physical health of our patients and staff,” said Dr. Kendra Holmes, Affinia Healthcare President and CEO. “Gun violence is a public health crisis and we are fortunate to have someone with Capt. Farmer’s expertise join us as we look to partner with other community organizations to help address this critical issue.”

Farmer brings to his new role 20-plus years in law enforcement. He began his career with the Northwoods Police Department before joining the Vinita Park Police Department (now the North County Police Cooperative). He started as a patrolman, and in 2014, he was promoted to the rank of captain. Farmer served as the commander of the Dellwood, Pine Lawn, Upland Park and Vinita Terrace precincts. Farmer also served as a commander over the departments’ field operations, community engagement, public relations, resource officers, training, housing, communications, recruitment, and drug units. Under his command, Farmer required officers to participate in a multitude of community partnership programs including youth basketball teams, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Police Explorer programs.

Prior to joining Affinia Healthcare, Farmer served as Director of Security and Community Engagement for St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell. He also serves as a gang instructor at the Eastern Missouri Police Academy and is a board member for the Center for Women In Transition.

“This is an exciting opportunity for me to incorporate my law enforcement background with my community outreach experience to make an impact that will help build bridges and strategies to hopefully, make our communities safer and more viable,” Farmer said. “I look forward to working with Dr. Holmes and the team, along with our community partners, in this important endeavor.”