Passion for the people
BNPD officer loves serving the city of Benton
With a passion for helping others, one Benton Police Department officer is taking his extensive experience working around the globe and using it to help protect and serve the residents of Benton.
“I have always wanted to go into law enforcement as far back as I can remember,” said BNPD Lt. Don Robertson. “My dad was an Arkansas State Trooper before becoming a police chief and there were also others in my family that were in law enforcement.”
Born in Little Rock, Robertson, 44, graduated from Hot Springs High Schools before attending Garland County Community College (now known as National Park Community College). He then attended Bellevue University were he received a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice.
Before becoming a member of the BNPD, Robertson joined the Navy in 1994 and was stationed on the USS Mississippi for two years.
“During this time, I travelled all over the world visiting countries like Greece, Spain, Italy and many others,” Robertson said. “After my active-duty commitment I continued serving in the Navy Reserves. That also led me all over the world and gave me so many experiences that I just couldn’t have ever get on my own. I enjoyed serving my country but I couldn’t have done that without a good family to hold the fort down when I was gone. I just retired on Dec. 1, 2020 with 26 years in total.”
Robertson began his tenure with the BNPD in 1998 as a Patrol Officer.
“I was living in Hot Springs at the time and when I started looking around at the different departments, I liked Benton due to them working 12-hour shifts on patrol,” Robertson said. “At that time, Hot Springs was working the typical eighthour shifts and I didn’t know anybody here in Benton so there were no expectations or the chance of running into too many people that I knew.”
After serving as a patrol officer, Robertson took on the role of Criminal Investigation Division detective before becoming a patrol sergeant in 2014. Robertson then moved to the position of patrol lieutenant. He now serves as an administrative lieutenant with 22 years of service under his belt. He also spent 17 years on the SWAT team, served as a fire arm instructor, field training officer and as a member of the Honor Guard.
Robertson said his favorite part of being with the BNPD is helping others.
“Policing is a job where you never know what you are going to be doing next,” Robertson said. “There are many challenges and you just don’t know where you can help someone or make a lasting impression on a child. Since I have been doing this a few years I run across people that I have been involved with in one way or another and every once in a while, you get that ‘thank you, you helped me when … ’ or ‘thank you for waiting with me daughter when her car was broke down.’ Those things are rewarding and help get you through the tough days.”
Standing by his side as he serves the city are Robertson’s wife and children.
“I have been married to my wife, Carrie, for just over 26 years and we have two great daughters,” Robertson said. “My wife is also in law enforcement, a deputy prosecuting attorney with Saline County, we have a lot in common. Our oldest daughter, Aubree, is currently in her first year of college at UCA, and Chelsea is a sophomore and attends Benton High School.”
In addition to serving the residents of Benton, Robertson also serves as a deacon at Highland Heights Baptist Church.
“I would welcome anybody needing a church family to come and visit,” Robertson said.
He also enjoys working out at Crossfit Testament and welcomes people to give it a try too, saying that it’s a great atmosphere to get physically fit.
Robertson is grateful for his family and other who have helped in his law enforcement career.
“First, I would like to recognize God, who has been riding with me and watching over me on several occasions,” Robertson said. “I have been blessed with being able to work with several good supervisors and to just hang on in a challenging job field. I would like to recognize my family for all the sacrifices that they have had to go through for me to go and do at a moments notice. I have been called out in the middle of the night, or shipped overseas for a year and I always knew that things were covered at home.”
For those thinking about becoming a law enforcement officer, Robertson said they should be ready for a challenge, but that the rewards are worth it.
“Today, law enforcement is more challenging than ever, but it is also rewarding,” Robertson said. “You are able to see how you are needed and the results from helping people. It is definitely not for the faint at heart. You have to stay mentally and physically fit and be able to adapt to any situation and the ever-changing technology.”