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MESSAGE FROM SHERIFF
RODNEY WRIGHT  ( read  )
Phone
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: 501.303.5648
Detention Center: 501.303.5642
Crime Tips: 501.303.5744
Drug Hotline: 501.303.5741
Fax
501.303.5747
Address
735 South Neeley St.
Benton, Arkansas 72015
Administrative Office
M-F 8am - 4:30pm
Phone: 501.303.5609
06/27/2016

2016 Fraternal Order of Police "Sheriff of the Year"

This past Saturday, the Arkansas State Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) bestowed Saline County’s Sheriff Rodney Wright with the prestigious honor of "Sheriff of the Year". 

Sheriff Wright was elected in November 2014 and began serving the citizens of Saline County on January 1, 2015.  His experience dates back two decades with the Benton Police Department and he is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy. 

Below are examples of what lead the Arkansas State Chapter of the FOP to select Sheriff Wright:

  • Rebranded and re-image SCSO
  • Significantly PROFESSIONALIZED the SCSO (new uniforms / badges)  
  • Held all employees ACCOUNTABLE
  • Increased TRANSPARENCY:  Examples” Increased interaction with media / social media, and public, to include the Corium Court / County officials / other law enforcement agencies / FOP. 
  • Increased COMMUNICATION/Relationships with ALL. 
  • Significantly increased MORALE
  • Drug Testing for all employees as of January 1, 2015.  /  RADOM drug testing throughout year
  • Hands-on approach with community 
  • Brought in outside talent – wider aperture – broader view:  more diversified:  Combined w/ inside experience and talent - Surround yourself with good people. 
  • Detailed review of the SCSO program:  added significant cost savings within our budget
  • Doing more with less:  added three (3) new deputy positions; new patrol cars;
  • Stripped/marked five (5) police units for more visibility (civil process/warrants – Public stated that they have seen more marked Sheriff’s cars more than ever; altered shifts of 2 deputies (overlap during peak hours) so we have additional patrol units on the street at peak times.    
  • Adding three (3) new deputies to the SCSO commencing at the end of June 2016.     
  • Saved approximately $74,000 per year by reviewing cost/programs (IT System)
  • New hiring practices:  Increased diversity ref. hiring
  • High state of Cooperation and collaboration:  
  • New updated WEBSITE – significant outreach/interaction to public – SOCIAL MEDIA/FACEBOOK.  
  • Comprehensive drug strategy:  3-prong approach:  Enforcement/Outreach – education/rehabilitation
  • Narcotics focus:  Detective assigned to DEA Task Force (1st time ever):  Two (2) Detectives assigned to Benton narcotics T/F
  • Prescription TAKE-BACK Program
  • Significant outreach to area schools – consistent visiting of schools in the county to interact with teachers/students
  • Two (2) School Resource Officers, one (1) being a NEW position / with drug Canine Unit
  • Emphasis on the Neighborhood Watch Program
  • Increased emphasis on Reserve Program – Approximately 27 Reserves 
  • Salary raises for all / Merit pay system with County for SCSO
  • Rewrote Policy / Procedural Manual / Wrote new Field Training Officer (FTO) Program
  • Sex Offenders – Level 3 / 4 posted (approx. 47) on website:  We assigned a CPL full-time to monitor and go out 2 times per quarter and make contact with all 3 / 4 level offenders.  Level 1 / 2’s are monitored by CID (approx. 100) 
  • Emphasis on Training:  A CORNERSTONE for the SCSO 
  • Secured $800,000 in monies to build a State of the art Training Center / Evidence Room (anticipated construction beginning in August)
  • Mutual Aid Agreement with Grant County / Perry County / Garland Co. pending which allows for each county to provide aid/assistance in the time of need
  • Significantly changed the SCSO Detention Center – Received highest grades possible for Detention Audits.  

Under the direction of Sheriff Wright, the SCSO, as a department, has made tremendous strides in polishing their badge and building public trust.  The SCSO badge is beginning to shine.  Although Sheriff Wright is leading the effort to keep that badge polished, he is keenly aware that the successes of the SCSO over the past year, as well as the future goals, could not be achieved without a strong team or without the support and trust of the public.

Sheriff Wrights’ comment to receiving this award was that he was very humbled for being nominated and this award should be shared by the 124 members of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office.  Sheriff Wright stated, “The success of the Sheriff’s Office comes down to one simple word: Teamwork.”

 

 

SHERIFF WRIGHT RECEIVING THE AWARD OF "SHERIFF OF THE YEAR"

 

DISPLAY OF NEW CLASS-A UNIFORMS

 

PRESS CONFERENCE WITH DEA SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE AND UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

 

SHERIFF WRIGHT AND HIS TEAM AFTER A MOTORIZED CAR WAS ASSEMBLED FOR A DISABLED 4 YEAR OLD BOY

 

TALON ENJOYING HIS NEW RIDE

 

SHERIFF WRIGHT MEETING A FUTURE DEPUTY

 

PIZZA BEING SERVED BY SHERIFF WRIGHT

 

SCSO MISSION STATEMENT