Hutchinson Selects Bill Bryant As New State Police Director

Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson named Bill Bryant, formerly of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), as the new director of the Arkansas State Police. Bryant is a resident of Little Rock.

Stan Witt, the current director of the state police, announced yesterday that he would not be retained in the post.

“I am honored to announce Bill Bryant as the new director of the Arkansas State Police. Bill’s extensive experience at all levels within the law enforcement community makes him the ideal person for this key law enforcement position,” Hutchinson, a former DEA administrator said.

“While I served as administrator of the DEA, I had the privilege of working with Bill on both drug enforcement efforts and my initiatives to strengthen drug education and prevention programs. Bill returned to Arkansas to lead the DEA in this state and he has provided extraordinary leadership in supporting law enforcement at both the state and local level. Bill’s integrity and dedication is respected by law enforcement professionals across the nation and I have no doubt that Bill will be a great leader of the Arkansas State Police,” Hutchinson said.

Bryant is a 40-year law enforcement veteran, including stints as a criminal investigator and resident agent in charge of the Little Rock Resident Office for the DEA.

“I am honored and grateful for this opportunity. I believe the knowledge and experience I have gained over the course of my career in law enforcement has more than prepared me for this new role, and I look forward to serving Governor Hutchinson and the good people of Arkansas,” Bryant said in a statement.