Bryant sworn in as new State Police leader

Bill Bryant is sworn in Monday as the new director of the Arkansas State Police.
Bill Bryant is sworn in Monday as the new director of the Arkansas State Police.

New Arkansas State Police Director Bill Bryant was sworn into the post Monday, officially beginning his tenure at a position he called a "dream job."

Standing by his wife and daughter and before an audience that includes police officials from several Arkansas agencies, Bryant was administered the oath of office by state Supreme Court Associate Justice Rhonda Wood.

In remarks during the ceremony, he said he is committed to making the agency "a better organization, to earn your respect and become a family member of the Arkansas State Police."

Afterward, Bryant said he wanted to spend some time in the new role before deciding on any specific changes.

"It's early now, this is day one," he said. "I think any leader of an organization will get over in the organization for a little bit and observe. They do very many things well, which makes it easy for me. But I will take a good look at everything, and hopefully some of my outside experiences will make it more effective and efficient."

Bryant has 40 years of experience in law enforcement, including 30 with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. He served as head of that agency's Little Rock operations and also previously was chief of the Office of Congressional Affairs for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration while Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson was its director.

Hutchinson introduced Bryant on Monday, calling him a "friend, a great Arkansan and someone that's going to be a tremendous leader of the Arkansas State Police."

Bryant succeeds state police director Col. Stan Witt, who requested to be demoted to major in the administrative services division after Hutchinson announced his pick for the new leader.

Bryant said he's already been taking part in briefings for the new job and is eager to get started.

"It's a monster," he said. "There's a lot of moving parts to this. But again, I love this state and I'm willing to give 100 percent to do the best job I can."

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