Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. has announced Keith Humphrey as the next chief of the Little Rock Police Department. The announcement came on Thursday, March 21 during a press conference in the City Hall Rotunda.
Humphrey, who has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, comes to Little Rock after almost eight years as police chief in Norman Oklahoma.
“This has been a dream come true for me,” an emotional Humphrey said of his new job.
During Thursday’s announcement, Scott said Humphrey stood out as the best candidate because of his experience as chief in Norman and Lancaster, Texas, as well as his commitment to crime reduction through community policing.
“Chief Humphrey stood out as the best candidate to build and strengthen bridges between the community and police,” Scott said.
Scott called this his biggest decision of the year, and possibly, the biggest he’ll face during his term as mayor. It comes after “conducting interviews, watching interactions and engagement at the community forums, listening to feedback from the Board of Directors, city department directors, the Fraternal Order of Police and the Black Police Officers Association, and various community members, and much personal prayer and reflection,” Scott said.
The candidates were narrowed down to four people, two of which were employed with the LRPD:
- Commander Todd Chamberlain, retired from Los Angeles Police Department
- Assistant Chief Howard Finks, Little Rock Police Department
- Assistant Chief Alice Fulk, Little Rock Police Department
- Chief Keith Humphrey, Norman, Oklahoma Police Department
“This selection begins a new era of establishing in some communities, and enhancing in others, the trust that is crucial between police and the community if we truly desire to unite and focus on moving our city forward,” Scott said.
Humphrey enters the department during a period of tension between officers and community members who are calling for accountability after Officer Charles Starks shot and killed 30-year-old Bradley Blackshire last month. ((related link))
“I’ve dealt with major incidents and I totally understand the concern from the police department and from the community, and so that’s why it’s important for me to get here and see what each has to say,” Humphrey said. “We’ll get through this. I have no doubt we will get through this.”
Humphrey’s official start date at LRPD is April 22, but he hopes to get started even sooner.
“My goal is to be here within 21 days so we can hit the ground running,” he said on Thursday.
Humphrey said he’ll focus on getting to know the community and the department during his first 100 days on the job.
“We're working toward making this the safest city, not only in Arkansas, but in the United States,” Humphrey said.
Norman city leaders offered their well-wishes to Humphrey following Thursday’s announcement.
“Chief Humphrey has been a real asset to the Norman community over the past few years,” Interim City Manager Mary Rupp said. “We are proud of the legacy he will leave at the Police Department, and we wish him and his wife all the best on this new endeavor.”
A spokesperson for Mayor Scott said details of Humphrey's contract, including his salary, have not been finalized.