TEXARKANA, Ark. - City Manager Kenny Haskin confirmed to the Gazette on Tuesday that Police Chief Robert Harrison soon will retire and announced that Sgt. Kristi Bennett will be appointed interim chief.
Haskin made the announcement a day after the Gazette reported, based on information from three independent sources, that Harrison would be leaving the Police Department.
Haskin and Bennett, in her role as the Department's public information officer, initially declined to comment on the report.
The city will announce the date of Harrison's retirement at a later time.
Haskin praised Harrison's service record.
"Chief Harrison was appointed police chief at a time when the department was in turmoil and rapidly declining. The programs he instituted within the department and in the community have made Texarkana a better, safer place to live.
"I would have to write pages in order to list all his accomplishments as police chief, but the well-trained, professional officers in our department are the greatest testimony of those accomplishments. The Texarkana, Arkansas, Police Department is one of the finest in the state because of his strong leadership," Haskin said in a statement.
Bennett has served with TAPD since 2005 and is known for developing the Department's youth development program PRIDE Academy.
"She is liked and respected by her fellow officers and will lead them fairly and effectively. I have tremendous confidence in Sgt. Bennett's leadership abilities and believe she will utilize her innovative and creative mindset to take our Police Department to even greater heights," Haskin said.