Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Reynolds, 26-year veteran, named Fayetteville police chief
FAYETTEVILLE — A 26-year veteran of the Police Department is taking over as chief.
Mike Reynolds, 48, became the city’s police chief on Monday after serving as interim police chief for the past month. Reynolds takes over for Greg Tabor, who had served in the role since 2006 and announced his retirement Aug. 19 in a letter to Mayor Lioneld Jordan.
Reynolds joined the department in 1993 after receiving his criminal justice degree from the University of Arkansas. He climbed the ranks from patrol officer to captain before becoming deputy chief in 2011. Reynolds has been in charge of managing operations since, including officers, records, dispatch and evidence. He also took lead on the proposal for a new police headquarters that voters approved in April.
Reynolds said in the short term the department will have to replace the years of experience that walked out the door between Tabor and longtime department officer Craig Stout. Tabor had served with the department 34 years and Stout 25 as school resource and public information officer.
The department has promotional tests scheduled to cover the shift in ranks, Reynolds said.
“I think we’ve got a really rich history of succession planning here at the Fayetteville Police Department,” he said. “I want to continue that, and develop leaders for the future long after I’m gone.”
Reynolds said he is also preparing for the department’s reaccreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, which evaluates a department’s professional standards, coming up in November.
Reynolds said he also has his eye on the next steps to build the new police headquarters. The University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees this month agreed to sell 12 acres at Deane Street and Porter Road to the city for $2.59 million. The site will become home to a new police station, training space, evidence and vehicle storage center and indoor firing range, along with a new fire station.
Community engagement also will be on the forefront of Reynolds’ mind, he said.
“I think we’re a great Police Department. We’re very innovative, we’re very progressive, but I always think we can improve,” Reynolds said.
In a news release, Jordan said he has found Reynolds to be intelligent, direct, hard-working and always ready to bring new ideas on board.
“Mike has a great sense of empathy and is always willing to look at different points of view, listen, gather facts and make thoughtful, educated decisions,” Jordan said. “I believe the best days of the Police Department lie ahead under his leadership as he will continue to build upon the foundation of excellence this city has always had from our Fayetteville Police Department.”
Reynolds’ salary as police chief is $121,904.