About Our Department

The Jonesboro Police Department has four divisions, each led by a Captain, to ensure the most efficient service possible.  The four divisions are Administration, Patrol, Criminal Investigations, and Special Services.  Each division contains different units or shifts commanded by a Lieutenant or Sergeant. 

Scroll down to learn more about each division.


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Administration Division

Contact the Administration Division
(870) 933-4614
1001 S Caraway Rd
Email Capt McDaniel

The administrative office of the Jonesboro Police Department includes the Office of the Chief of Police, which also includes the Assistant Chief of Police, an Administrative Captain, a Public Information Officer, a Community Outreach and Recruiting Officer, and the Chief’s Administrative Assistant.

The Administrative Services Captain also oversees the Department's Support Services units, professional Standards (Internal Affairs), and Accreditation. Some of the support units include Animal Services and the Records Division. While some of these units are overseen by and include certified law enforcement officers, many are civilian employees.

Administrative services also provide daily support for the Chief of Police and the rest of the department, such as planning and research, fiscal affairs, crime analysis, alarm tracking, records maintenance, and supply and fleet operations.


Office of Professional Standards

The Jonesboro Police Department believes the public has a right to expect efficient, fair, and impartial law enforcement from officers. Occasionally, citizens may have an interaction with an officer that lowers their esteem of the entire department. For such occurrences, we have a mechanism in place for citizens to file complaints. An officer compliment or complaint may be filed at any time.

Use the links below to view frequently requested JPD Policies: Bias Based Policing, Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics, Response to Aggression, Arrest Procedures

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K9 Unit

The Jonesboro Police Department K-9 Unit includes K9s and Handlers who are trained in narcotics detection and patrol work, including aggression and tracking. They are responsible for assisting patrol units when requested. We also have one team trained in explosives detection and patrol work. Each team must participate in at least sixteen hours of formal training per month and be certified on a yearly basis.

Stack of folders containing records

Records Department

The Records Division of the Jonesboro Police Department is a support unit comprised of civilian employees who maintain general records and enter data for the department.

Visit the Public Information Page to learn how to obtain a report, submit a FOIA Request, purchase an accident report, and more.

Jonesboro Animal Services Insignia

Animal Services

The Animal Services Department investigates all reports of animal cruelty, animal attacks, and bite reports. At our animal shelter, we care for stray, abused, and surrendered animals. By working at home and with animal rescue operations nationwide, we find new homes for most of the animals we take in. By enforcing animal-related laws and educating the public about animal care and welfare issues, we protect the health and safety of humans and animals.

Children with Daren the Lion DARE Program Mascot Stuffed Animal Toy

D.A.R.E.

The goal of the D.A.R.E. Program is to educate students, faculty, teachers, and families about the dangers of drugs and violence. Our aim is to educate and prevent incidences of juvenile crime and delinquency through proven, valuable student training with the Drug Abuse Resistance Education curriculum. This program not only addresses drug abuse but also several other life skills. The ability to deal with stress, how to communicate, dealing with peer pressure and bullying are just a few topics that the program covers.  It is a multi-faceted approach to getting our students the tools they need to succeed in life. 

JPD Mechanic installing patrol car equipment

Service Divison

The Service Division of the Jonesboro Police Department is responsible for the complete process of researching, purchasing, distributing, maintaining, and inventorying police department vehicles, uniforms, and equipment necessary to provide service to the residents of Jonesboro.  With the help of two full-time ASE-certified mechanics on staff, the equipment, maintenance, and repair needs of several types of fleet and specialized police vehicles are also met. JPD Fleet vehicles include various makes and models of patrol cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles.

Police Officer with Lady

Community Outreach

The Jonesboro Police Department believes in building strong relationships with the community we serve. Our officers are involved in many outreach events through the department and with professional organizations.

Visit our Community Outreach Page to learn more about these initiatives.

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Crime Analysis

The Crime Analysis division is responsible for examining and disseminating crime activity data and collecting and maintaining crime intelligence information for the city of Jonesboro. Data exported from this division is used by field agents for more effective, efficient policing, by administration for improved staffing decisions, and by the Mayor’s office for community decision-making and enhanced public relations.

Woman typing on laptop computer

Digital Media Division

The Digital Media and Video Analysis Division of the Jonesboro Police Department is responsible for web maintenance, social media, public relations, public image, information dissemination, and all department digital media needs. This division oversees the department’s efforts to stay relevant in an ever-evolving environment locally and nationally and to create a bridge between police and the community they serve.


 
 

Patrol Division

Contact the Patrol Division
314 Washington Ave
(870) 933-4614
Email Captain Baker

The Uniform Patrol Division is frequently called the “backbone of the police department.” Officers of this division are the most familiar to the general public because they are responsible for responding to calls for service 24/7, preventing criminal activity, conducting preliminary criminal investigations, apprehending criminals, and interacting with the community. The Patrol Division is also home to the Traffic Unit and Motorcycle Unit, whose primary purposes are traffic enforcement and investigating motor vehicle accidents.

 
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Uniformed Patrol Division

JPD Officers work eleven hour shifts and are assigned to one of six different geographical areas of responsibility commonly referred to as areas.  The Division is divided into four squads providing overlapping patrol coverage during peak hours of activity. The Division is overseen by a captain, with each shift consisting of from 20-25 officers who fall under the direct supervision of a shift lieutenant, who is assisted by 3 sergeants.

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Traffic/Motor Unit

Increased traffic flow in the City of Jonesboro necessitated the implementation of a Traffic Unit in 2007. The unit includes four motorcycle units, two officers in traditional units, and a supervisor.

Traffic and Motor Units primary duties are motor vehicle crash investigations, DWI Patrol, and enforcing the State of Arkansas traffic laws and City of Jonesboro traffic ordinances. They also work special details targeting specific issues, such as DWI Sobriety Checkpoints and Child Passenger Safety Events.

 
 

 
 

Criminal Investigation Division

Criminal Investigation Division
(870) 935-6710
1001 S Caraway Rd
Email Captain Chambers

The Criminal Investigation Division is tasked with the investigation of all types of crimes, polygraph services, property and evidence storage, crime scene investigation, and the high-tech/cyber crimes unit. The CID Captain oversees a variety of investigations carried out by in-house detectives, the Street Crimes Unit, the Drug Task Force, the SWAT Team, and the Drone Program.

Detectives receive special training in a variety of investigative techniques and disciplines, including general and advanced criminal investigations, death scene investigations, sex crimes investigations, child abuse investigations, photography, interview and interrogation, crime scene investigation, and collection of physical evidence.

Thief with flashlight looking inside empty car

General investigationS

The Criminal Investigation Division is responsible for investigating various types of crime including homicide, rape, robbery, burglary and forgery. Detectives receive many hours of additional training including those particular to various types of criminal investigations, interviewing and other job specific skills.

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Street Crimes Unit

The Street Crimes Unit is tasked with pursuing persons wanted for felony and misdemeanor warrants, investigating street-level narcotics offenders, investigate prostitution-related crimes, establishing sources of intelligence, and assisting with the development and implementation of special enforcement strategies.

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Organized Crime Activity Task Force

The Organized Criminal Activity Task Force’s purpose is to identify and target criminal groups that conduct drug trafficking, money laundering, alien smuggling, arms trafficking and possession, crimes of violence, murder and aggravated assault, robbery and street-gang activity.

Fingers Typing on Computer Keyboard

High-Tech Crimes Unit

JPD’s High Tech Crime Unit detectives are responsible for conducting searches of computers, phones, jump drives and other items that may store digital evidence. As an affiliate agency of the Arkansas Division of the National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Jonesboro Police Department has tasked this unit with investigating complaints of child exploitation and pursuing child predators.

Measuring ruler next to thumb print evidence

Crime Scene Investigation

Along with responding to major crime scenes and collecting certain items of video evidence, these detectives are also tasked with processing many of the items collected by patrol officers and detectives in the department’s forensics lab. By processing these items in our own facility, it often saves time in order to retrieve evidence that could aid investigations more quickly. Both officers in this unit are state certified Crime Scene Technicians, utilizing a variety of state of the art processes, techniques and equipment.

Bags of Seized Drugs

Drug Task Force

The mission of the Drug Task Force is to investigate major drug traffickers in our area and to respond to the needs of our community. The Second Judicial Drug Task Force was established through a cooperative effort of the Second Judicial Prosecutor and District law enforcement agencies to combat narcotics and organized crime.

The Task Force is governed by a Board of Directors, which consists of the Prosecuting Attorney, Task Force Coordinator, a representative on the Arkansas State Police, and the Chiefs and Sheriffs of all the local law enforcement agencies within the Second Judicial District that either provide manpower to the Task Force, or for whom the Task Force prosecutes its felony cases or civil drug forfeitures. Currently there are eight Jonesboro Police Officers assigned to the Task Force.

Police Office flying a drone that is hovering above the ground

Drone Program

The JPD Drone Program includes small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) that are equipped to fly indoors or outdoors, utilize FLIR heat sensing thermal imaging, extremely high-resolution cameras, ActiveTracking, and more. The program also includes several sworn officers who completed months of training to become fully certified Part 107 drone pilots by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Boxes on shelves containing evidence and property

Evidence and Property

The JPD evidence and property section is responsible for the care and custody of every item collected as evidence or recovered property. The evidence technician is responsible for checking in every piece of evidence brought in by officers, storing those items until they can be returned to their owner or destroyed, and maintaining records of the chain of custody for each evidence item.

If you have property that you need to pick up, you may call the evidence technician at (870) 336-7141 or the detective that worked your case to make sure it is ready to be released to you. When you come to pick up your property, be prepared to show a photo ID.

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SWAT Team

The Jonesboro Police S.W.A.T. Unit can rapidly respond when needed. It is the intent of the Jonesboro Police Special Services Unit to provide a highly trained and skilled tactical team as a resource for the Jonesboro Police Department in the handling of critical incidents.

The Special Weapons and Tactics Team (S.W.A.T). is trained to respond to a wide variety of critical incidents including hostages, barricades, snipers, high-risk apprehensions, personal protection, and much more.

Map showing pinpoints of sex offenders' locations

Sex Offender Registration

The Jonesboro Police Department is responsible for registering sex offenders that live within the city limits of Jonesboro. A civilian sex offender registration specialist is assigned to CID to carry out that task. The sex offender registration specialist also investigates instances of offenders failing to register or being non-compliant with registration requirements.

For more information about who has to register as a sex offender and where sex offenders are located in Jonesboro and throughout Arkansas, visit ACIC online.

 

 
 

Special Operations Division

Contact the Special Operations Division
410 W Washington Ave
(870) 933-4600
Email Captain Dupuy

The Special Services Division consists of a number of various units who are under the direction of a Captain. This Division is responsible for deployment and monitoring of the activities of the Training Division, School Resource Officer program, Chaplains, Court Services Division, Warrant Unit, Reserve Officer program, and Honor Guard Unit.

All of these specialized units were developed to combat crime or to better serve our community.  These specialized units are trained for specific duties, and each of these units are staffed with specially trained officers and equipment specific to their mission. 

Chaplains standing next to each other

Chaplains

The goal of the Chaplain’s program to provide support to local law enforcement officers, their mission, and offer a special understanding of their unique work; supporting them and their families. Some of the specific ways that chaplains encourage and support officers is by riding along with officers on duty, visiting police department offices and special assignment sites, providing on-scene support during death notifications and appropriately recognizing individual achievements. The most important of the chaplain duties is the commitment to regular prayer for officers and their families.

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Training Division

Officers of the Jonesboro Police Department are required to train in various subjects throughout the year. The training unit is under the direction of a sergeant who reports to the Special Services Division Lieutenant. The training coordinator is responsible for the coordination of all department training, including a comprehensive basic training for newly hired officers, as well as the continued refresher and specialty training for veteran officers.

New recruits to the Jonesboro Police Department must complete at least 33 weeks of training before they are permanently assigned to a shift as a certified police officer. One of the most important parts of that training is the Field Training Officer Program.

JPD Reserve Officers standing in a group

Reserve Program

The Jonesboro Police Department Reserve Police Officer Unit is comprised of non-paid officers with reserve certification from the State of Arkansas. In doing so, it is the policy of the Jonesboro Police Department to ensure that its reserve police officers meet comparable training and proficiency requirements as required of regular full-time police officers.

Members of the Jonesboro Police Department’s Reserve Police Officer Unit, while on-duty, can exercise the same authority and have legal protection afforded full time sworn police officers.

Employees of Court Services

Court Services

The District Court Services Department oversees all persons placed on probation as the result of criminal and/or traffic charges within Craighead County. Direct services include random drug screens, Sobriety Court, monitoring of both probation fees and fine payments, monitoring attendance and completion of Court Ordered programs, electronic monitoring, and monitoring Public Service work.

District Court Services was formed not only to report directly to the Court regarding probationers who are non-compliant, but also to provide an environment where defendants will be encouraged to make positive changes in their lives.

School Resource Officers standing together in a group

School Resource Officers

School Resource Officers are uniformed, certified police officers who receive specialized training to deal with school-related issues and promote safety on campus. SRO duties include patrolling school properties, assisting school officials with safety plans and crime issues, controlling traffic, providing security at school events such as ball games, making arrests when needed, building positive relationships with students, parents, teachers and staff, and providing other law enforcement services as needed.

Officers of the Warrants Division

Warrants Division

The Jonesboro Police Department Warrant Division provides court security for District Court and transports inmates to and from court. The Officers are responsible for serving misdemeanor warrants, criminal summons and subpoenas issued by the Court.

Honor Guard members standing at attention with firearms

Honor Guard

The Honor Guard is an all volunteer unit of full-time and reserve police officers who are dedicated to honoring the community and those who serve through a visible, professional display of respect by the department. This unit provides funeral services for current and retired officers and serve in parades and special events.

 

 
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Police Administration

Contact Police Administration
(870) 933-4614
1001 S Caraway Rd
Email Chief Elliott
Email Assistant Chief Waterworth

 
 
Chief Rick Elliott
 

Rick Elliott
Chief

Rick Elliott was named chief of the Jonesboro Police Department in September 2014. A veteran of more than 35 years in law enforcement, he began his career as a reserve officer in Jonesboro from 1979 to 1981.

Elliott worked for the Blytheville Police Department from 1981 through 1992, rising to the rank of lieutenant while serving in Patrol, Criminal Investigations, the Drug Task Force, and as SWAT team commander.

Elliott has been with the Jonesboro Police Department since October 1992. He was among the first officers to respond to the Westside Middle School shootings in 1998. Because of his experience with that tragic event, Elliott has given presentations around the country at conferences and seminars on school violence and crisis preparation.

Before being tapped as the new chief of police, Elliott served in both the Patrol and Criminal Investigation Divisions. He has also overseen the department’s K-9 unit and served as the Crisis Negotiation Team commander. He is a certified law enforcement instructor, a certified polygraph examiner, a certified crime scene technician, and a certified blood pattern analyst.

Elliott has served as president of the Fraternal Order of Police and chairman of the city’s Employee Representative Committee outside of the Jonesboro Police Department.

Assistant Chief Lynn Waterworth
 

Lynn Waterworth
Assistant Chief

A graduate of Arkansas State University, Lynn Waterworth began her public service career with the Jonesboro Police Department in 1988. Being one of the first female officers at JPD has also allowed her to become the first female to achieve rank at all levels in the department up to her current rank of Assistant Chief. She holds a senior-level officer certification and is a certified instructor who has instructed on a number of law enforcement-related topics, including crime scene investigation, trauma-informed victim response, and media relations.

AC Waterworth led the department in achieving its first-ever national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and currently serves as an assessor for the Arkansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ALEAP). She has also been active in and held office for some professional and civic organizations, including the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP), where she currently serves as a regional vice president.