LITTLE ROCK – After almost three decades of service to the residents of Little Rock, Police Chief Heath Helton announced his retirement. Helton has overseen LRPD during a historic span of four consecutive years with lower crime, while guiding Arkansas’s largest municipal police force in a new era of data- and technology-driven policing.
Chief Helton submitted a retirement letter to Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. Chief Helton’s last day is Friday, May 29.
“Under Chief Helton’s leadership and implementation of our comprehensive crime reduction strategy, we have seen historically low homicide rates this year and significant downward trends in overall crime,” Mayor Scott said. “He has had a positive impact on our entire community during his 30 years as a police officer, and we are a safer, stronger City because of his work.”
Mayor Scott will immediately begin a national search for a successor, with the goal of an appointment by the end of the year. Assistant Chiefs Andre Dyer, Joe Miller, and Troy Ellison will alternate serving as interim police chief during the vacancy period.
“After nearly 30 years in law enforcement, the time has come for me to close this chapter of my life and begin a new one,” Chief Helton said. “Serving as the Little Rock police chief and leading the men and women of the Little Rock Police Department have has been the honor of a lifetime. I have full confidence in the dedicated professionals who continue to serve this City each day, and I know the Department is in excellent hands. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve this community and for the trust placed in me to lead such an outstanding organization.”
During Chief Helton’s tenure, the City has prioritized investments in law enforcement technology like the Real Time Crime Center, a key tool using partnerships with businesses and residents to prevent crime, solve crimes more quickly, and promote safety. Helton has also successfully employed strategies directing additional patrols to high-crime areas. At the same time, he has worked to build stronger community trust and relationships, while strengthening Little Rock’s commitment to accountable and transparent 21st Century policing practices.
Mayor Scott named then-interim Chief Helton as Little Rock’s 39th police chief in December 2022. Helton has served LRPD since 1996, rising through the ranks of the Department before becoming a captain in 2015 and assistant chief several years later.
“Chief Helton is a trusted colleague, and we wish him continued success in his retirement and in accomplishing the goals that remain ahead,” Mayor Scott said.
As of today, violent crime in Little Rock is down 6 percent since last year and 15 percent over the past five years. Overall crime has declined 14 percent in the last five years. During that same period, homicides have gone down 64 percent.