After 36 years of service, Little Rock Police Department Interim Chief Wayne Bewley is retiring from LRPD. Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., and Chief Bewley offered the following statements in response to the announcement:
Mayor Frank Scott, Jr.
“Today I received a letter from Interim Chief Wayne Bewley informing me he will retire from the Little Rock Police Department after more than 36 years of service to our City. Chief Bewley has accepted another job opportunity, and while I’m disappointed that he is leaving LRPD, I know this step is the best decision for him and his family. I wish him well in his new role.
“Very few will ever match Chief Bewley’s leadership skills, his credibility with his department and with the public, and his vast institutional knowledge. From the time he became a LRPD cadet in 1986 all the way to his two tenures as interim chief, he has remained dedicated to public safety and committed to excellence in law enforcement.
“He has provided needed stability to the police department in the last few months, as he has continued the important and valuable work of LRPD leadership. He oversaw the move into a new headquarters building and the launch of our first-ever Real Time Crime Center. He has advanced LRPD in a positive direction, and I personally appreciate his counsel and his candor during my time as Mayor.
“Effective Saturday, Dec. 3, Assistant Chief Heath Helton will serve as interim chief. The search for a permanent chief is ongoing, and I expect to name a new chief in the next 30 to 60 days.”
Chief Wayne Bewley
“It has been my honor to work for the Little Rock Police Department serving the citizens of this great city for over 36 years. I started this journey as a Police Cadet at 19 years of age, and I am announcing my retirement today as the Interim Chief of Police.
“This has truly been the dream job of my life and has provided me the opportunity to experience so many things while working with some of the best police officers anywhere in this country. I am forever grateful to the City of Little Rock. With that being said, it is time to move on to the next chapter of my life. My last day with the City of Little Rock will be Friday, December 30, 2022.
“I would like to share my thanks to all of the men and women of the Little Rock Police Department and promise they will forever remain in my prayers. I would also like to say thanks to Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., Bruce Moore, and the Board of Directors for the continued support they have shown the Little Rock Police Department and me.”
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