Police chief restructures ranks in department
Utilizing each person’s strengths, Police Chief Ryan Walker said is his goal in restructuring rank within the Pea Ridge Police Department.
“I want to utilize everybody’s specialties and skills by restructuring,” Walker said.
Chris Olson, formerly detective, was named captain this week.
“Olson has a very lengthy law enforcement career,” Walker said. “He has over 14 years total law enforcement experience, two years of social work and two years of human resource supervisor experience.”
Olson, who began work at Pea Ridge in 2005, moved back to California for a short time, then returned to Pea Ridge. He has a bachelor of science in social work from Fresno Pacific University and an associates of art in sports medicine, he said.
“Olson has consistently demonstrated a positive attitude and shows great initiative,” Walker said.
“I think I’m a people person,” Olson said, adding that with his prior management experience and involvement in budgets, he hopes to be an asset to the department. “I plan on moving forward. I’ve very forward thinking with community-oriented policing. I want to build on what we already have built to try to go to the next level of the department and the city. You have to be proactive, engaging with the public. One of my main goals is to use the talents of all the people in the department.”
Mitch Brown, former school resource officer, was promoted to lieutenant.
“He’s still an acting patrol supervisor, but will be taking on some additional administrative duties,” Walker said. Brown began work at Pea Ridge in 2004. “Brown has shown great dedication to the Pea Ridge Police De- partment and he has been instrumental in starting both the SRO and the FTO (field training officer) programs.”
Brandon Davis, who began working for Pea Ridge in July 2014, was promoted to detective. Previously Davis was an investigator with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and served as the acting captain of the Criminal Investigation Division. He has been working in law enforcement since 2003.
“Davis brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Pea Ridge Police Department,” Walker said.