LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The director for Arkansas State Police is stepping down.
Gov. Mike Beebe made the announcement Monday afternoon.
According to Col. J.R. Howard's biography on ASP's website, "He was commissioned in May 1971 as an Arkansas State Trooper assigned to the Highway Patrol Division.
"During his 33 year tenure as a State Police officer, Colonel Howard spent more than half his career as an investigator assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division."
Major Stan Witt will replace Howard as director. Witt is commander of the department's Administrative Services Division.