The Arkansas State Police Commission approved the recommendations of Police Director Colonel Bill Bryant, state police director, Thursday to promote six veteran state troopers, including one as the new commander of Troop L.
Troop L is part of the state police department's Highway Patrol Division and covers Benton, Carroll, Madison, Washington counties.
Lt. David Cooper, 47, of Hot Spring County, was promoted to the rank of captain and appointed as troop commander based in Springdale.
He is a twenty-three year veteran of the department and will be leaving his current assignment as assistant troop commander within Highway Patrol Division, Troop K.
The promotions happened during a regular monthly commission meeting.
Capt. Lance King was the previous commander of Troop L and retired in December after 30 years with the organization. He was commissioned on Sept. 21, 1987, and promoted to captain Dec. 14, 2007.
Bill Sadler, a spokesman for the State Police, said King is responsible for supervising 45 people covering Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington counties.
Sadler said the department's Highway Patrol Division commanders oversaw Troop L before Cooper's appointment.
NW News on 03/16/2018