The courtroom was filled with families, friends, coworkers, media, and the public as four Officers were promoted and took an oath to their new positions. One of the promotions started with Mayor Sprouse introducing the new Police Chief, Derek Wright, along with his wife, Jessica.
A new chapter has begun at the Springdale Police Department, as Chief Wright has officially begun his duties as Chief of Police. Chief Wright thanked and acknowledged his predecessors for their work and for building an exemplary department of dedicated men and women who proudly serve the citizens of Springdale.
Chief Derek Wright is a 19-year veteran of the Springdale Police Department. Throughout his career, Chief Wright has served in various roles across all divisions, gaining valuable experience as a Patrol Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain.
During his time as a Patrol Officer, he served as a Field Training Officer, Drug Recognition Expert, and was part of the Crime Suppression Unit. As a Detective, Chief Wright was assigned to the 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force, where he investigated narcotics, vice, and human trafficking cases.
As a Sergeant, Chief Wright demonstrated his commitment to community well-being by creating the department’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). This program focuses on improving interactions between law enforcement and individuals experiencing mental health crises.
In his role as Lieutenant, Chief Wright held several key positions, including the Office of Professional Standards, Public Information Officer, School Resource Officer Program Supervisor, Crime Suppression Unit Commander, and Patrol Shift Commander.
As Captain, Chief Wright expanded the CIT program into a full-time operation with a dedicated team of officers, a social worker, and social work interns. He also served as Incident Commander, leading specialized units in numerous high-risk situations. Additionally, Chief Wright served for over a decade as a Crisis Negotiator, leading the unit for several of those years.
A longtime resident of Springdale and a third-generation public servant for the city, Chief Wright is deeply invested in our community. He is a graduate of Shiloh Christian and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from Arkansas Tech University. He furthered his professional development through the prestigious School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University. Chief Wright also dedicates his time to serving on numerous community and non-profit boards and advisory committees.
Chief Wright is eager to lead the Springdale Police Department into a successful future.
Please help us celebrate the promotion of Chief Derek Wright.