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.
