CHIEF KENTON BUCKNER M.S. / B.S.

Qualified and resourceful law enforcement professional with 25 years of progressive responsibility spanning investigative,
administrative, and patrol operations. Extensive history in expanding and improving organizational operations. Excellent
rapport with local, state, and federal agencies. Comprehensive leadership covering fiscal management, crime reduction, and
community development.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
 Investigative Techniques  Logistics & Operations  Emergency Management
 Officer/Staff Training  Police/Media Relations  Homeland Security
 Operations Management  Reporting & Documentation  Financial Oversight
 Personnel Management  Intervention Programs  Tactical Operations
 Special Operations  21st Century Policing Model  Criminal Law

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Little Rock Police Department (LRPD) | Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock is a metropolitan city with a population of 200,000 citizens. It is Arkansas’ state capitol and the state’s largest
police agency with an authorized strength of nearly 600 sworn officers and 140 civilian personnel. The city includes both
an urban and suburban community within 123 square miles. Administered budget of $75M annually

Chief of Police 2014 – Present

Key Accomplishments:
 Agency experienced a decline in overall reported incidents for 2014, 2015. 2017 to be determined.
 Selected to serve as CALEA Commissioner. Commissioner duties include developing new standards and assessing
police departments, training academies, colleges & universities, and communications agencies applying for
accreditation.
 Achieved CALEA Accreditation with Excellence (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies).
 In the spring of 2017, LRPD became a state accredited police agency. This prestigious award was bestowed by the
Arkansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, a section under the Arkansas Chiefs of Police Association.
 Created Emergency Management Unit. Duties include planning and preparation for natural and manmade disasters,
civil disturbances, and mass causalities. This has increased our preparedness and ability to respond to critical
incidents.
 Developed annual forum for College and University Public Safety Officials. 2017 topics included Communications,
Emergency Response, and Active Shooter.
 Presented “Lessons Learned from a Mass Shooting,” at the Major Cities Chiefs Association’s national conference in
October 2017, detailing LRPD’s response to the Power Ultra Lounge shooting where 25 people were shot but, due to
the work of first responders, no fatalities were sustained.
 Improved our relationships with television, radio and print media outlets; resulting in the dissemination of more
timely and accurate information.
 Partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Memphis Police Department to provide
training on crisis intervention. This has served as a key component in reducing the use of force.
 Significantly improved the number of Hispanic police officers on the force.
 Held Hispanic Citizen’s Police Academy, which resulted in two members of the class joining the police department.
 Led agency through three successful, independent audits (Property Room, Communications, and Recruitment/Hiring
process). This has led to measurable progress within our evidence property room, decreased vacancies while
improving operational issues in Communications, and increased the pool of qualified candidates for academy
classes. Sworn vacancies have been reduced by more than 50%.
 Established a strong relationship with our public school system. These efforts resulted in more than doubling the
number of participants in the Criminal Justice vocational program.
 Established Community Crisis Response Team comprised of community representatives, ministers, nonprofit
organizations, media outlets, and civil rights Activists.
 Appointed, by the Governor of Arkansas, to serve on the “Arkansas Legislative Criminal Justice Oversight
Taskforce.” The goal of the taskforce was to develop a holistic approach to reducing recidivism in the state’s prison
system; and resulted in systemic changes in substance abuse treatment, increased probation and parole monitoring,
and treatment for individuals suffering from mental illness.
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 Created internship program with University of Arkansas Little Rock criminal justice students to strengthen our
relationship with the city’s flagship university and enhance recruiting efforts.
 Hired new Neighborhood Coordinator. This hire increased the department’s social media followers from less than
1000, in 2014, to 30,000, in 2017. The agency has also provided better support to existing neighborhood watches and
increased new locations.
 Created a Foundation for Little Rock Police Department to provide financial support for community outreach and
training initiatives.
 Aligned Training Academy to be reflective of best practices. Implemented new recruiting and hiring process.
Improved In-Service training to include outside instructors on sensitive topics such as cultural diversity, crisis
interventions, and civil rights movements.
 Developed a new strategy for School Resource Officer program. Our new focus is constructive contact and programs
that emphasize sound decision making. These efforts have led to a significant decrease in arrests on school property.
 Little Rock Police Training Academy is scheduled to receive CALEA accreditation in July 2018.
 Implemented Arkansas’ first police apprenticeship program. Sponsored by the United States Department of Labor,
this program provides officers with a certificate of occupational proficiency.
 Served on working group with US Conference of Mayors. Our efforts resulted in best practice document
Strengthening Police-Community Relations.
 Developed, through an inclusive process, a new Mission (“TRUST”) and Value Statement (“CONNECT”) for the
agency. Our value statement was also reinforced with a commemorative coin.
 Developed Advisory Groups for Civilians, Officers, and Sergeants/Lieutenants. Provided an avenue for workforce to
bring their issues and concerns directly to the Chief’s Staff.
 Modified pursuit policy to be reflective of best practices.
 Implemented LBGTQ policy to provide guidance to our officers while dealing with sensitive encounters and reaffirm
that our agency supports diversity and inclusion.
 Fostered a productive relationship with the U.S. Department of Justice, leading to Little Rock being selected as the
location of the 2016 Violence Reduction Network Summit.
 Provided annual public forums for the community to discuss community policing initiatives and a summary of crime
trends.
 Appointed to serve on Community Policing Committee for International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).
 Appointed to serve on executive board for Boy Scouts of America/Arkansas.
 Appointed to serve on the advisory board of the Criminal Justice Institute (CJI).
 Appointed to serve on Legislative Committee for Arkansas Chiefs of Police Association.

Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) | Louisville, Kentucky | 21 Year Tenure 1993-2014
Community comprised of urban and suburban areas with a population of 750K. LMPD is ranked the 22 nd largest police
agency in the United States and largest in the state of Kentucky.
Assistant Chief of Police/Support Bureau 2011 – 2014
Key Accomplishments:
 Successfully climbed the ranks from Officer to Assistant Chief of Police.
 At peak of service, operated in leadership role for 400 officers and 170 civilian personnel, administered annual budget
of $23M.
 Reestablished trust between families, youth, and the community with the police department by coordinating forums
supporting the common goals between all involved parties.
 Decreased occurrences of violent crimes related to narcotics thru reformation of the Narcotics Division.
 Established accountability and increased staff performance thru the implementation of a quarterly reporting system.
 Co-led the weekly COMPSTAT process (computerized database management system for crime statistics).
 Reduced costs by $300K annually via management and coordination of The Civilian Volunteer Program.
 Keynote Speaker for Citizens Police Academies.
 Chief Kenton Buckner Resume, Page 3

 Instructor for First-Line Supervisors class with LMPD Police Academy.

 Increased social media usage by cultivating community relationships.

Major 2009 – 2011

Division Commander – Special Operations Division
Chief Responsibilities:
 Director of 14 Special Response Teams
(SWAT, Hostage Negotiation Team, Special Response Team, Joint Emergency Services Unit, Dive Team, Dignitary
Protection Team, Bob Unit, Peer Support, Mounted Patrol, Canine Unit, Air Unit, River Unit, Community Relations,
Special Operations Team)
 Managed and coordinated approximately 100 annual special events.
 Incident Commander for “Thunder Over Louisville,” an event involving 500K–750K people annually.
 Incident Commander for “Kentucky Oaks and Derby,” an event involving 125K–160K people annually.
 Employed measures to reduce overall budget, overtime costs, and decrease violent crimes specifically utilizing collaborative
partnerships with military personnel.
 Successful in resolving multiple high-risk warrants and barricaded subjects without officer or suspect injury.
Lieutenant 2008 – 2009
Patrol Sector Commander – Violent Crime Task Force Commander
 Assumed command duties in absence of the Precinct Commander.
 Directed, scheduled, trained, and supervised uniform and plainclothes officers.
 Reduced homicides within three Patrol Divisions.
Sergeant 2004 – 2008
Patrol – Second Division – Third Platoon
 Direct supervisor for Homicide Unit, uniform platoon, calls for service, and quality of life initiatives.
 Responded to and investigated criminal complaints against Metro employees and officer involved shootings.
 Served as supervisor for Basic Academy classes; completed scheduling for 30 week academy.
Officer 1993 – 2004
Patrolman – Street Detective – Flex Detective
 10 year tenure from Patrolman to Street Crimes Detective actively combatting violence, drugs, and gangs.
 Initiated and served as liaison between LMPD and community outreach programs.
 Exercised suitable problem solving skills to resolve quality of life issues and effectively answer calls for service.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS & ADVANCED TRAINING

Master of Science, Safety, Security, & Emergency Management

Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, Kentucky | Degree awarded 2008

Bachelor of Science, Police Administration

Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, Kentucky | Degree awarded 1998

Advanced Training/Courses:
Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives in State and Local Government | 2017
National Executive Institute (NEI) | Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) | 2013
NOBLE Chief Executive Officer Mentoring Program | Cedarville College | 2010 – 2012
Administrative Officers Course #114 | Southern Police Institute (SPI) | 2005
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

National Counter – Terrorism Seminar | Israel

Spanish Immersion Program | Morelia, Mexico
Dignitary Protection Seminar # 205 | United States Secret Service
Cincinnati Police Department – Management Audit | 2011