The UCA Police Department recently reorganized its department to ensure the most effective and efficient delivery of services to the campus community.
“In order to successfully meet the expanding mission of the police department on campus, it is necessary that we continually assess our departmental effectiveness, the extent and quality of services we provide to the campus and the best methods of delivering police and safety services to all constituents,” said UCA Police Chief Larry James.
The position of deputy chief has been eliminated. Capt. John Merguie was promoted to the rank of major. He will supervise the criminal investigations and patrol divisions. Lt. Jeremy Crabb was promoted to the rank of captain and will supervise the records and communications, parking and traffic services, and emergency management divisions.
Capt. Chris Bentley will continue to be responsible for administrative services and will take on the additional role of executive officer responsible for work flow coordination among all divisions and staff assignments. Capt. Justin Tapley, formerly criminal investigations division commander, will serve as the professional standards and accreditation commander and will guide the department to national accreditation as well as oversee training and standards.
Sgt. Brad Moore was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant and will be responsible for special events coordination, community policing, housing and residence life liaison, and special projects. Sgt. Jamie Booth was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and will be responsible for the patrol services division. Lt. Preston Grumbles was promoted to criminal investigations commander. Sgt. Chris Turner was promoted to rank of staff sergeant and will be assigned to the criminal investigations division.
Arch Jones, who serves as the director of organizational and community services, will continue to report directly to the chief of police in a staff position.
“We have an outstanding staff of professionals in the department who are ready for the challenge of taking on greater responsibility and new assignments,” James said. “The organizational changes that I have recently announced leverage the strengths of my individual command staff members in accomplishing their assignments with their commitments to a team approach to achieving fully the mission of the police department on campus.”