Heath Helton to serve as the new chief for the Little Rock Police Department

Little Rock, Arkansas – At a press conference on police safety on Wednesday, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott announced the appointment of a new police chief for the city.

Mayor Scott announced that Heath Helton, the department’s current acting chief, will take over as police chief.

“I’m happy and proud as I stand here today with different members of the city board [to] announce that interim police chief Heath Helton will now be permanent chief Heath Helton,” Mayor Scott said.

Helton, who has nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience, will succeed outgoing Chief Keith Humphrey, who assumed leadership of the division in April 2019.

“I am grateful to Mayor Scott for his confidence in asking me to lead the department. I’ve served for almost three decades here in the city of Little Rock and the Little Rock Police Department,” Helton said. “This is an amazing opportunity and I’m blessed to have the support of the mayor, the city board of directors, community leaders, and most importantly the men and women of the Little Rock Police Department.”

Mayor Scott stated that the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) and BPOA were in favor of Helton being promoted to the chief (Black Police Officers Association).

“Any time you have the FOP and the BPOA all on one accord, that’s a good thing. It’s a demonstration of our mission to truly be unified as a city. To truly grow as a city,” Mayor Scott said.

The mayor described the hiring process as meticulous, emphasizing that despite the FOP and BPOA’s support, the city made sure to carefully consider each of the 38 candidates.

Following Humphrey’s departure in May 2022, the Little Rock Police Department had been without a permanent chief for months when Helton was promoted.

“He remained loyal to his officers and to this city in the midst of adversity and challenging times,” Scott said. “I appreciate his service to Little Rock, and I wish him and his family the best as he transitions to a new chapter.”