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New assistant chief sets heading for police department

Bradley’s agenda includes training, improved communication

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Bradley’s agenda includes training, improved communication

By JOHN RECH

West Memphis Assistant Police Chief Brent Bradley quickly set a new heading for the department during the January Police Commission meeting on Monday. In just his second of two weeks abbreviated by winter holidays Bradley listed his top the priorities and announced the rehiring of some certified officers. Bradley took control of the department with a vacant chief spot and announced sweeping changes aimed at improving department performance.

The patrol rank attrition under the previous chief became critical. The department held 87 positions on its organization chart. Bradley focused on human resource development and recruiting.

“My priorities are to rebuild the patrol division and also dispatch, as well as requiring all supervisors to take a human resource class through our virtual academy, “ said Bradley. “I’m getting a lot of ‘I didn’t know I shouldn’t say that,’ and this class should eliminate that. We have 19 open positions for officers. We need 15 total dispatchers; we currently only have eight.”

“Former Captain Joel Johnson restarted today as in our civilian information technology position,” said Bradley. “He is full of wisdom and experience. He will be the one to teach me about

See ASSISTANT, page A2

Assistant Chief Bradley extended training of the most recent West Memphis Police Academy class to correct the lack of hands-on training. Bradley appointed new trainers in an effort to bring teaching up to required thresholds after finding the “mess” left by the previous police administration.

Photo By John Rech ASSISTANT

From page A1

the budget.”

Johnson reached by text said he was pretty much doing what he had done before. Other key duties for Johnson included information technology leadership and recommending radio and camera equipment for the department. Bradley said Johnson would also answer Freedom of Information requests aimed at the police.

Applicants came knocking. Rehires and certified officers contacted Bradley when his promotion was announced. We rehired three certified officers and have four other certified officer prospects including one I got a call from one just before I walked into this meeting.”

Bradley moved Lt. Jason Kennedy over dispatch to begin shoring up the ranks there.

“I think he is much better suited,” said Bradley. “I think it will improve intra- department communication.”

The training division botched the latest training academy class. Bradley overhauled leadership at the academy after the latest class ended up minus on key topics and short on practice. In the mess the Marion Police Department withdrew its cadet. New instructors felt the class needed an additional six weeks to cover required training for city cadets and a pair new of officers from Jericho.

“This last week was the biggest week of my life,” said Bradley. “There was so much stuff neglected over the last six-month period. We made many changes over the last week. It was a mess neglected for the last six months. It wasn’t fair to those in training, and it would not be fair to the officers on the streets relying on these new guys for backup.

“We have nine recruits along with two from Jericho. One of the first things I did was bring them in individually to talk frankly with the mayor and me. We heard things in other divisions. There was a felling they weren’t ready to go onto the streets yet. They felt their training had been subpar. They said a lot of the training they had done was virtual training, not a lot of hands on. That’s not how we designed that academy. The academy was very hands on with the initial group of instructors. It was not the recruits’ fault. They had not covered any kind of combative training yet. Had not had any driving school. Had not had duty to intervene class. All these are requirements to graduate.”

Bradley replaced two instructors and indicated the new recruits would be ready for graduation in the last half of February. After commencement ceremonies the new officers ride with a field training officer for about six weeks.

“We need to develop more field training officers if we are to hire new officers to fill the ranks,” said Bradley.

The new assistant chief announced the reinstatement of the Violent Crime Suppression Unit. Former Chief Michael Pope disbanded the unit to augment the depleted patrol division. Bradley developed the unit three years ago. The efforts landed Bradley recognition form the State Attorney General.

“It’s a necessity,” said Bradley. “We have statistics demonstrating the unit does work. They went back on the street December 28. They worked New Year’s Eve and stayed quite a bit over.”

The VCSU will return as the face of the department in the community.

“When we initially designed this unit, it was a community outreach unit, not a street crime unit,” said Bradley. “They were to get to know the kids on a first name basis. As the kids grow up they can put a face to an officer’s name. They do a lot of the Park and Walk initiative and work with Tawana Bailey in community outreach.”

The Arkansas Municipal League was set to recognize the Park and Walk Initiative at its upcoming state-wide meetings.

“We reinstated our shop with a cop initiative,” said Bradley. “There was a lot of talk after Chief pope did away with that and mandated clean-shaven faces. We’ve done it for six years. There is no way we could do away with that and leave kids hanging on to hopes at Christmas time. There is no better way to get money into the police foundation than allowing officers to grow beards for the money. It boosts the morale of the patrol. A lot of other departments around the mid-south have allowed beards now. There is no reason to move backwards on beards. the citizens like them. we’ve had no complaints.”

Bradley came to the meeting sporting a healthy beard himself.

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