Hayward Finks has officially taken office as the first Black police chief in North Little Rock, Arkansas. His appointment marks a significant milestone for the city’s police department after nearly four decades of service in law enforcement.
Finks was sworn in on July 23 following the retirement of former Police Chief Patrick Thessing. As he begins leading the department, he says his priority is building trust through transparency, community engagement, and strong leadership.
Hayward Finks Brings Nearly Four Decades of Law Enforcement Experience
Finks steps into the role with 38 years of experience in public safety. He spent decades serving in the North Little Rock Police Department before later working as an assistant chief in Little Rock. He also served as the director of safety services for the local school district.
His long career has prepared him for one of the city’s most important leadership positions. Speaking after his swearing-in, Finks expressed gratitude for the opportunity and reflected on those who came before him.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be given the distinction of serving as the first Black chief of police,” Finks said. “I realize that I stand on the shoulders of countless others in order to stand before you today as the chief of police.”
His remarks acknowledged the contributions of the 18 previous police chiefs while recognizing the significance of his own appointment.
Community Trust and Transparency Will Guide His Leadership
Finks has made it clear that strengthening relationships with residents will be one of his top priorities. He wants to maintain an open-door approach and encourage regular conversations with neighborhood groups and community members.
“I want to hear from as many citizens and different neighborhood groups as I can,” he said. “That’s what they can expect from me—a visible police chief that’s interested in what’s going on in the community.”
He believes effective policing depends on listening as much as enforcing the law. Therefore, he plans to remain visible throughout the city while building stronger partnerships with the people his department serves.
Hayward Finks Plans a Full Review During His First 100 Days
Rather than making immediate changes, Finks plans to carefully evaluate every part of the department during his first 100 days. He wants to understand what is working well before introducing improvements.
His review will cover specialized units, daily operations, department policies, and overall performance. He also plans to compare current practices with recognized law enforcement standards.
Finks said the department will continue successful programs while identifying areas that need improvement. At the same time, policies will be reviewed to determine whether updates are necessary to better serve the community.
Supporting Officers While Raising Professional Standards
Alongside community outreach, Finks wants to strengthen internal leadership within the police department. He believes officers perform their best when expectations are clear and supervisors provide consistent guidance.
According to Finks, leadership begins with creating structure and accountability. He wants every officer to understand their responsibilities and the level of service expected by North Little Rock residents.
He also praised the officers and staff already serving the city. After meeting many members of the department, he said he looks forward to working alongside a dedicated team committed to public safety.
A New Era for North Little Rock Police Leadership
Finks has spent most of his adult life serving communities. He said he has been involved in community service since he was 18 years old, making this new role a natural extension of that commitment.
As North Little Rock’s first Black police chief, he hopes to honor the department’s history while helping shape its future. His combination of experience, transparency, and community engagement will guide the department through its next chapter.
With nearly four decades in law enforcement behind him, Finks now begins the task of leading the department while working to earn and maintain the trust of the community he serves.
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