Police Changeover Smooth

TONTITOWN — The newest police department in Northwest Arkansas has officers, police cars and a station, but no sign reflecting their existence.

The sign in front of Tontitown City Hall and Police Department still says it hosts the Tontitown branch of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. The new force took over law enforcement duties from the Sheriff’s Office March 26.

Chief Denny Upton has four officers working the streets, he said.

“We’ve met our No. 1 goal,” Upton said. “We have an officer on duty 24 hours a day.”

The city contracted with the Sheriff’s Office to provide police protection to Tontitown before the department was established. That contract ended in March.

The transition was smooth and orderly, said Rick Hoyt, enforcement major for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Five cars, originally purchased by Tontitown for the Sheriff’s Office, were re-marked with city decals, Hoyt said. Radios were reprogrammed and turned over to the city.

Deputies once assigned to Tontitown were reassigned, Hoyt said.

“We held some slots open after attrition,” Hoyt said. “Every one of our officers had a place to go.”

The county billed Tontitown $333,896 for law enforcement services in 2012, Hoyt said. The majority, $293,980, was for salaries.

Any startup costs should be covered by the 2013 budget, said Mayor Jack Beckford.

“All of the feedback for the new department has been positive,” Beckford said. “Our people seem to like having their own department.”

Officers are working to become part of the community, Upton said.

“Our No. 2 goal is to become an active part of the community,” Upton said. “Officers are stopping at stores, businesses and churches to meet and greet people.”

Zeb Rone, who was on patrol Friday, said he enjoys working on the new force. Rone has worked as a Madison County deputy sheriff, on the Siloam Springs Police Department and as Sulphur Springs police chief.

“I’m very glad to be here,” Rone said.

Any problems the department has experienced have been minor, Upton said.

“There has been a lot of little things that we didn’t think of,” Upton said. “Crime scene tape, rain coats, even batteries. Just some small surprises.”

The crimes the department have worked are about what was expected, Upton said.

“We’ve had some domestic disturbances, some burglaries and a major accident,” Upton said. “The first day, we had an arrest for video voyeurism. I think we’ll keep having a similar caseload.”

Upton, who worked for the Springdale and Johnson police departments, is well known by area law enforcement officials. His connections will be helpful when crime crosses city limits, he said.

The Springdale Police Department will assist the Tontitown department with its needs, said Chief Kathy O’Kelley.

“We’re looking forward to a positive working relationship with Tontitown police,” O’Kelley said.

James Larson, a resident of Tontitown, said having a police force will help the city as it grows.

“The city will have to have a fire department and police department when it becomes a city of the first class,” Larson said. “We’ll probably have to do that at the next census.”

Arkansas law states a city becomes a city of the first class when its population reaches 2,500. Tontitown’s population was 2,460 in the 2010 U.S. Census.