Conway officer accepts job as UCA deputy police chief

CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas has hired a Conway Police Department veteran to be the campus’ deputy police chief.

Maj. William Tapley, 47, will begin his new job at UCA on Monday. He fills the position left vacant by John Merguie, who was named UCA chief of police in April.

As UCA deputy chief, Tapley will be the department’s second-highest-ranking officer. He will be responsible for assisting in planning, organizing and directing day-to-day operations, and ensure that the department operations comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations, and with UCA policies and procedures.

Tapley’s salary will be $75,000 a year. The UCA department has 28 police officers and 11 civilian workers, including communications specialists and an emergency manager.

Tapley worked at the Conway Police Department for 22 years, including jobs as sergeant of the narcotics division, lieutenant of the criminal investigation division and major of the patrol division.

Most recently, he was assigned to the office of the chief, where he was responsible for the Conway Emergency Operations Center and the Conway Animal Welfare Unit.

He has an associate of applied science in law enforcement degree from Southern Arkansas University Tech and a bachelor of arts in organizational management from Central Baptist College.

In addition, he is a certified law enforcement professional instructor and a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the School of Law Enforcement Supervision. He also holds a certificate in Reid method criminal interviews and interrogation.